| Authors | Ahmad Reza Moein, Mohammad Javad Pourvaghar, Fatemeh Kazeminasab, Maryam Baharlooie, Reza Bagheri, Darryn Willoughby, Fred Dutheil |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders |
| IF | ثبت نشده |
| Paper Type | Full Paper |
| Published At | 2026-08-08 |
| Journal Grade | Scientific - research |
| Journal Type | Electronic |
| Journal Country | Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
| Journal Index | JCR ,SCOPUS |
| Keywords | Time‑restricted feeding, High‑intensity interval training, White adipose tissue, Thermogenesis, Type 2 diabetes mellitus |
Abstract
Purpose This study evaluated the independent and combined effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on thermogenesis-related protein abundance in white adipose tissue (WAT) of diabetic rats. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided into normal and diabetic groups (high-fat diet plus streptozotocin). Diabetic rats were randomly allocated into four subgroups: control, TRF, HIIT, and combined TRF+HIIT groups. After a 10-week intervention, the protein abundance of AMPK, PGC-1α, and UCP1 was assessed in WAT. Fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and adipocyte cross-sectional area were also measured. Results Diabetes induction increased blood glucose and adipocyte cross-sectional area while reducing thermogenic proteins. Both TRF and HIIT significantly reduced fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, insulin, and adipocyte cross-sectional area, with no significant difference between the two. AMPK levels increased significantly with TRF (P = 0.001) and combined TRF+HIIT (P = 0.001). PGC-1α abundance was significantly higher in TRF-treated rats (P = 0.002), whereas HIIT showed no significant effect (P = 0.62); no interaction was found for PGC-1α (P = 0.31). UCP1 showed no significant main effect of TRF (P = 0.09) or HIIT (P = 0.07); however, a significant TRF × HIIT interaction was observed (P = 0.02). Conclusion TRF and HIIT were associated with improved glycemic outcomes and reduced adipocyte cross-sectional area. They were also associated with changes in thermogenesis-related protein abundance in diabetic WAT, with a statistically significant but context-dependent TRF × HIIT interaction observed for UCP1. These findings provide preliminary protein-level evidence of metabolic adaptations in WAT; however, their functional significance remains to be established.