Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on the Levels of Liver Fat Transporter Proteins (LFAB and CD36) in Rats with Fatty Liver

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver condition linked to a rise in other metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Thirty 5-week-old rats with an average body weight of 165.4 ± 31.3 g were randomly assigned into two main groups: a sham group (10 rats) and an experimental group (20 rats, including control for fatty liver and exercise + fatty liver subgroups). The high-intensity interval training (HIIT) group underwent a HIIT protocol for 8 weeks, training 5 days per week. The data were analyzed using a dependent t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. Results: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease significantly increased CD36 and LFABP levels in liver tissue (P = 0.023 and P = 0.001, respectively). Eight weeks of interval training significantly decreased the levels of CD36 and LFABP in liver tissue (P = 0.019 and P = 0.007, respectively). Conclusions: The onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver elevates fatty acid transporter levels in liver tissue. However, eight weeks of HIIT markedly reduces these transporter levels.