RESUMO
Nesfatin-1, a novel anorexigenic protein derived from the Nucleobindin-2 [NUCB2] gene, is expressed in adipose tissue and is found in plasma. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an eight-week endurance training regimen on nesfatin gene expression and its concentration in the male rat liver. Eleven adult Wistar male rats were used. Animals were randomly divided into the training [TS, n=6] and control [CS, n=5] groups. Training groups were given exercise on a motor-driven treadmill [0% grade, 60 min, and 5 days/week for 8 weeks, 50-55%VO2max]. Samples of liver were excised and stored in liquid nitrogen to extract nesfatin-1 mRNA, and to determine its concentration and that of glycogen by RT-PCR, ELISA and colorimetric assay respectively. Although liver nesfatin mRNA expression and its concentration were increased, changes were not significant. Also liver glycogen concentration was significantly higher in trained rats compared to controls. The results of this research showed for the first time that nesfatin-1 is first expressed in the liver as a peripheral tissue and it then changes with endurance training. The insignificant variations of nesfatin-1 in the liver might be attributed to its role in energy balance. It seems that relative improvement in the liver's energy status is influenced by nesfatin gene expression, whereas as an indicator of source ATP, was lower in trained group compared to control group