Caffeine and exercise training alter expression of genes involved in inflammation and the browning of adipose tissue in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

Introduction: Caffeine, as a popular drink, along with exercise training, may help restore altered gene expres-sion in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.This study examined the effects of exercise training, caffeine consumption, and their interaction on inflammation and genes involved in metabolism in rats fed an HFD.Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were separated into two groups: HFD and normal diet (ND).Each group was subsequently divided into four groups: sedentary, caffeine-only, exercise, and caffeine-plus-exercise.For eight weeks, the animals in the training groups engaged in aerobic exercise on a mo-torized treadmill for 60 minutes, five times per week.Animals in the caffeine group ingested a solution containing caffeine daily (6 mg/kg/bw).The expression of Peroxisome proliferator-acti vated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1) and fibronectin type III domain-containing (FNDC5) genes in the calf muscle, uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in subcutaneous adipose tissue, NF-KB and TLR4 in vis-ceral adipose tissue, and fetuin-A (Fet-A) in the liver were investigated. Results:The findings demonstrated that HFD significantly elevated the NF-K gene and downregulated the skeletal muscle PGC-1 and FNDC5 genes, as well as serum fetuin-A.UCP-1 (366% vs. 56%), FNDC5 (26% vs. 54%), and PGC-1 (40% vs. 1700%) genes were all considerably elevated by exercise training and caffeine supplementation, respectively.Additionally, exercise training reduced TLR4 and NF-K expression in visceral adipose tissue and liver Fet-A gene expression.Furthermore, following HFD, when compared to the sedentary group, exercise training with and without caffeine consumption decreased the NF-K gene and liver Fet-A and increased PGC1-, FNDC5, UCP1, and serum Fet-A.Conclusion: These findings support the idea that exercise and caffeine may reduce inflammation by downregulating genes involved in inflammation and adipose tissue browning.