Physical Activity and Exercise Promote Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Expression in Adipose Tissues of Obese Adults

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) has recently been studied for its potential influence on the functional response of the human body to exercise. We aimed to investigate the association of habitual physical activity (PA) with PPAR gamma mRNA level in the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SAT) in non-obese andMethods: VAT and SAT were obtained from 95 individuals, including 40 non-obese (BMI<30kg/m2) and 55 obese (BMI >= 30kg/m2) who underwent elective abdominal surgery (Tehran, Iran, 2012-2015). The assessment of habitual PA was performed by a valid and reliable International PA Questionnaire-long form, and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) was evaluated. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR evaluated the PPAR gamma expression in VAT and SAT.Results: PPAR gamma expression in both VAT (1.18 vs. 0.37 fold change, P<0.001) and SAT (2.07 vs. 0.29 fold change, P=0.004) among obese subjects was higher than the non-obese group. After controlling for age, sex, and total energy intake, a positive association was found between total METs and PPAR gamma expression in both VAT and SAT among obese participants (13=0.22, P=0.007 and 13=0.12, P<0.001, respectively). Among obese participants, there was a direct association between leisure time-related METs with VAT PPAR gamma expression (13=0.05, P=0.026). Moreover, in this group, an association was observed between occupation-related METs with PPAR gamma in both fat tissues (13=0.11, P=0.002 and 13=0.17, P=0.013, respectively), and household work-related METs with SAT PPAR gamma (13=0.21, P=0.011).Conclusion: High PA as an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle may exert its beneficial effect by regulating PPAR gamma expression.