Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training and Alternate-Day Fasting on Angiogenic Protein Expression in Visceral Adipose Tissue of Rats Fed a High-Fat, High-Fructose Diet

Background and purpose: In obesity, adipose tissue undergoes chronic inflammation and dysregulated or ectopic angiogenesis. Exercise and dietary interventions are established strategies for combating obesity. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF) on the expression of angiogenic proteins in visceral adipose tissue of rats fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFFD). Materials and methods: This experimental study was conducted using 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8 per group): 1) Standard Diet (Con), 2) High-Fat, High-Fructose Diet (HFFD),3) HFFD + HIIT, 4) HFFD + ADF, and 5) HFFD + HIIT + ADF. The HIIT protocol was implemented five days per week and consisted of seven intervals of 4 minutes at 85–90% of the maximum running speed (Smax), interspersed with 2-minute recovery periods at 50% of Smax. ADF was implemented on an every-other-day schedule throughout the intervention. The protein expression levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) in visceral adipose tissue were measured using the Western blotting technique. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: The HFFD group exhibited a significant increase in body weight, whereas the HIIT, ADF, and combined HIIT+ADF interventions resulted in significant weight reduction. The protein expression levels of VEGF-A and PEDF were significantly reduced in the HFFD group (P< 0.05). In contrast, the expression of PEDF was significantly elevated in the HFFD+HIIT, HFFD+ADF, and HFFD+HIIT+ADF groups (P< 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in VEGF-A expression among the intervention groups (P> 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, a high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFFD) leads to significant weight gain. Conversely, HIIT, ADF, and their combination (HIIT+ADF) not only promote weight loss but also appear to mitigate abnormal angiogenesis by enhancing PEDF protein expression in visceral adipose tissue. This increase in PEDF is likely associated with improved adipose tissue function.