Swimming exercise improves gene expression of PPAR-γ and downregulates the overexpression of TLR4, MyD88, IL-6, and TNF-α after high-fat diet in rat skeletal muscle cells

Thirty-two healthy male Wistar rats underwent eight weeks of swimming exercises, revealing significant changes in muscle inflammatory pathways.

• Rats on a high-fat diet exhibited higher levels of cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, alongside increased expression of inflammatory markers.
• Exercise training resulted in lower levels of pro-inflammatory proteins TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-6 in muscle tissue compared to the high-fat diet group.
• Gene expression analysis indicated a decrease in TLR4/MyD88 and an increase in PPAR-γ in the exercise groups versus the high-fat diet group.
• Insulin resistance was significantly reduced in rats that underwent aerobic exercise compared to those on the high-fat diet alone.
• Findings suggest that swimming may mitigate the negative effects of a high-fat diet on muscle inflammation and insulin sensitivity.

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