Comparing the Effect of High and Moderate Intensity Exercise Trainings and Resveratrol Supplementation on FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18 in Rats with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and purpose: There is little evidence about the effect of exercise trainings with different intensities and resveratrol on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) indexes. This investigation aimed at studying the effect of 8 weeks of high and moderate intensity exercise training and resveratrol supplementation on alterations of FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18 levels in NAFLD rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 adult male rats (210±10 gr) were randomly divided into six groups, including a healthy control group, a patient group, rats that received saline, some to do high and moderate intensity exercise trainings, and animals that received resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day). High fat emulsion was used to induce NAFLD. Exercise trainings were performed at 8 weeks, five times a week for 45 minutes. We measured serum levels of FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18 by ELIZA and FGF21 mRNA by PCR real time method. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post-hoc test. Results: The serum levels of FGF21 mRNA, FGF-21, and Cytokeratin-18 showed significant decrease in resveratrol group, and high and moderate intensity exercise groups compared to the patient group (P≤0.001), but were not significantly different among these three groups (P≤0.001). Conclusion: The resveratrol supplementation, and high and moderate intensity exercise trainings could decrease FGF-21 and Cytokeratin-18serum levels in NAFALD rats.