Effects of aerobic exercise training on visceral fat and serum adiponectin concentration in ovariectomized rats

Objective The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on visceral fat and adiponectin levels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Method Female Wistar rats were divided into OVX (n = 20) and sham-operated control (SHAM; n = 8) groups. OVX rats were subdivided into a sedentary (OVX-SED; n = 10) and an exercise (OVX-EX; n = 10) group. The exercise consisted of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise (26 m/min, 5 days/week, 60 min/day, 10% slope). Results In OVX rats, body weight was 21% greater (255.2 +/- 9.31 vs. 211.63 +/- 3.23; p < 0.01) and visceral fat was 29% greater (10.87 +/- 0.66 vs. 8.43 +/- 0.45; p < 0.05) than in SHAM rats. After training, visceral fat was 20% lower in OVX-EX rats than in OVX-SED rats (8.72 +/- 0.46 vs. 10.87 +/- 0.66; p < 0.05). After 8 weeks of running on the treadmill, levels of serum glucose, insulin and serum adiponectin, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were not changed significantly in the OVX-EX group. Conclusion These results suggest that 8-week exercise training induces a decrease in visceral fat, and this reduction without weight loss does not change serum adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in ovariectomized rats.