Hamid Sadeghian - Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
Marefat Siahkohian - Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
Mohsen Akbarpour Beni - Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
Lotfali Bolboli - Department of Sports Physiology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

Background and Aim: Recent research has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) can be regarded as new biomarkers for metabolic and angiogenesis-related diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ۸ weeks of resistance training on the expression of miRNAs associated with adipose tissue angiogenesis in rats with a high-fat diet. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (each with ۱۰ rats): normal diet, normal diet+resistance training, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet+resistance training. The resistance training groups performed ۵ sessions of resistance training protocol each week for ۸ weeks. After one week of familiarity with ladders, in the ۲nd week, weights of ۳۰% of body weight were attached to the rats’ tails, which gradually reached about ۱۸۰% of their body weight by the end of ۸ weeks. To evaluate the effect of resistance training and a high-fat diet on miR-۲۲۱, miR-۲۲۲, miR-۳۲۹, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variables, sampling of mesenteric adipose tissue was performed immediately after killing the animals. Results: The levels of miR-۲۲۱, miR-۲۲۲, and VEGF in the resistance training group+normal diet and resistance training group+high-fat diet increased significantly compared to the control groups (P=۰.۰۰۱, and P=۰.۰۰۱, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed in any groups regarding miR-۳۲۹ (P=۰.۱۰۳). Conclusion: The results showed that resistance training increased microRNAs levels associated with adipose tissue angiogenesis in rats on a high-fat and normal diet.

High-fat diet, Angiogenesis, MicroRNAs, Resistance training