Effects of time-restricted feeding and high-intensity interval training on thermogenesis-related protein abundance in white adipose tissue of diabetic rats.
Both time-restricted feeding and high-intensity interval training may improve glycemic control and influence protein levels in fat tissue, but the clinical implications are not yet clear.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the slu-pp-332 (exercise mimetic) corpusSummary and findings
This study evaluated the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on thermogenesis-related protein abundance in white adipose tissue of diabetic rats. After a 10-week intervention, both TRF and HIIT significantly reduced fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin, and adipocyte cross-sectional area. AMPK levels increased significantly with TRF and combined TRF+HIIT.
Abstract
<h4>Purpose</h4>This study evaluated the independent and combined effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on thermogenesis-related protein abundance in white adipose tissue (WAT) of diabetic rats.<h4>Methods</h4>Forty male Wistar rats were divided into normal and diabetic groups (high-fat diet plus streptozotocin). Diabetic rats were randomly allocated into four subgroups: control, TRF, HIIT, and combined TRF+HIIT groups. After a 10-week intervention, the protein abundance of AMPK, PGC-1α, and UCP1 was assessed in WAT. Fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and adipocyte cross-sectional area were also measured.<h4>Results</h4>Diabetes induction increased blood glucose and adipocyte cross-sectional area while reducing thermogenic proteins. Both TRF and HIIT significantly reduced fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin, and adipocyte cross-sectional area, with no significant difference between the two. AMPK levels increased significantly with TRF (<i>P</i> = 0.001) and combined TRF+HIIT (<i>P</i> = 0.001). PGC-1α abundance was significantly higher in TRF-treated rats (<i>P</i> = 0.002), whereas HIIT showed no significant effect (<i>P</i> = 0.62); no interaction was found for PGC-1α (<i>P</i> = 0.31). UCP1 showed no significant main effect of TRF (<i>P</i> = 0.09) or HIIT (<i>P</i> = 0.07); however, a significant TRF × HIIT interaction was observed (<i>P</i> = 0.02).<h4>Conclusion</h4>TRF and HIIT were associated with improved glycemic outcomes and reduced adipocyte cross-sectional area. They were also associated with changes in thermogenesis-related protein abundance in diabetic WAT, with a statistically significant but context-dependent TRF × HIIT interaction observed for UCP1. These findings provide preliminary protein-level evidence of metabolic adaptations in WAT; however, their functional significance remains to be established.<h4>Supplementary information</h4>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-026-02032-0.
Background
This paper addresses the impact of time-restricted feeding and high-intensity interval training on metabolic health, particularly in diabetic conditions. Previous research has indicated that both TRF and HIIT can improve metabolic parameters, but their combined effects on thermogenesis-related proteins in adipose tissue were not well understood. This study aims to fill that gap by examining these interventions in a diabetic rat model.
Methods
Forty male Wistar rats were divided into normal and diabetic groups, with diabetes induced by a high-fat diet plus streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were allocated into four subgroups: control, TRF, HIIT, and combined TRF+HIIT. The intervention lasted for 10 weeks, and protein abundance of AMPK, PGC-1α, and UCP1 was assessed in white adipose tissue, alongside measurements of fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and adipocyte cross-sectional area.
Results
Diabetes induction resulted in increased blood glucose and adipocyte cross-sectional area, while thermogenic proteins were reduced. Both TRF and HIIT significantly reduced fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin, and adipocyte cross-sectional area, with no significant difference between the two. AMPK levels increased significantly with TRF (p=0.001) and combined TRF+HIIT (p=0.001). PGC-1α abundance was significantly higher in TRF-treated rats (p=0.002), while HIIT showed no significant effect (p=0.62). UCP1 showed no significant main effect of TRF (p=0.09) or HIIT (p=0.07), but a significant TRF × HIIT interaction was observed (p=0.02).
Interpretation
The findings suggest that both TRF and HIIT can lead to improvements in glycemic control and changes in thermogenesis-related protein levels in white adipose tissue. While the statistical significance of the findings is noted, the clinical relevance remains uncertain, particularly given the small sample size and the use of a rodent model. The study highlights the need for further research to establish the functional significance of these protein-level changes in humans.
Key findings
- Fasting glucose reduced significantly with TRF and HIIT, p<0.001.
- HOMA-IR decreased significantly with TRF and HIIT, p<0.001.
- Insulin levels decreased significantly with TRF and HIIT, p<0.001.
- Adipocyte cross-sectional area reduced significantly with TRF and HIIT, p<0.001.
- AMPK levels increased significantly with TRF, p=0.001.
- PGC-1α abundance was significantly higher in TRF-treated rats, p=0.002.
Limitations
- rodent model, may not translate to humans
- small sample size of n=40
- short intervention duration of 10 weeks
- no long-term follow-up data