Role of Immune Cells in Improvement of Adipose Tissue Thermogenic Function by Exercise

Abstract

Exercise training is known to increase the thermogenic function of subcutaneous adipose tissue, but the mechanisms by which this may occur are incompletely understood. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of immune cells in promoting thermogenic function of adipose tissue by exercise training. C57/BL6J male mice were divided into normal diet plus sedentary group, high fat diet (HFD) plus sedentary group, high fat diet plus exercise training group. Mice in the exercise groups ran on a treadmill for 60 min/day, 5 day/week for 8 weeks. Mice fed the HFD had decreased mRNA levels of UCP-1 and beige adipocyte marker of subcutaneous adipose tissue, but these mRNA levels were increased by exercise training. Mice fed the HFD had increased mRNA levels of macrophage marker and inflammatory cytokine, but these mRNA levels were decreased by exercise training. The results suggest that exercise training might increase thermogenic function of subcutaneous adipose tissue by suppressing infiltration of macrophages.