The effect of high-intensity interval training on IL-22 and STAT3 gene expression of liver tissue in steatosis animal model

Inflammation is a major component of almost all acute and chronic liver disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training on IL-22 and STAT3 gene expression of liver tissue in steatosis animal model. In this experimental study, 32 rats (weighing 200-250 gr) were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups including healthy control, fatty liver, HIIT and fatty liver + HIIT group. Rats were infected with fatty liver by oral tetracycline at a dose of 140 mg/kg (soluble in 2 ml of water) for 7 days. The HIIT exercise program performed on treadmill five sessions per week for 5 weeks. The IL-22 and STAT3 gene expressions in the liver tissue of samples were measured by Real Time PCR. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests at significance level P 0.05. The results showed that the gene expression of IL-22 in liver tissue in HIIT group and fatty liver + HIIT was significantly lower than that in the fatty liver group (P = 0.001). Also, the gene expression of STAT3 in liver tissue in HIIT group and fatty liver + HIIT was significantly higher than that in the fatty liver group (P = 0.001). According to the results, the HIIT training program seems to help improve the liver steatosis.