Author(s): LAI, S., CHENG, T.L., YANG, A.L., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF TAIPEI, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 603

INTRODUCTION:
Metabolic syndrome, characterized by a cluster of metabolic abnormalities, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, excessive caloric intake combined with low levels of physical activity has led to a rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome. In addition to increasing metabolic disease risk, metabolic syndrome has been associated with cognitive decline and increased oxidative stress. Aerobic exercise has been documented to ameliorate cardiovascular function and cognitive performance, while resistance training may indirectly improve cardiovascular function. However, the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on cognitive function and oxidative stress in metabolic syndrome remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate effects of a 12-weeks combined training on cognitive function and oxidative stress in a metabolic syndrome model induced by a high-fat diet in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
METHODS:
This study used male SHRs and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs). At 12 weeks of age, the animals were divided into three groups: the SHR with combined training (SHR-COM), SHR control (SHR-CON), and WKY control (WKY-CON) groups. All SHRs were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to induce metabolic syndrome, while WKYs received a standard diet. The SHR-COM group underwent a 12-week exercise program (6 days/week), performing alternating daily sessions of aerobic and resistance training (3 days each per week). At the end of intervention, all groups underwent the test of Morris water maze to examine cognitive function. Serum levels of antioxidant and oxidative stress, including total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were also analyzed among three groups.
RESULTS:
In terms of cognitive performance, the SHR-COM group demonstrated significantly (p < 0.05) reduced escape latency and higher frequency of entries into the target quadrant, compared to the SHR-CON group. However, no significant difference was observed in the time spent in the target quadrant among three groups. Moreover, serum MDA levels were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the SHR-COM group compared to the SHR-CON group, while the TAC levels showed no significant changes among three groups.
CONCLUSION:
The 12-weeks combined aerobic and resistance training could improve certain aspects of cognitive function and reduce oxidative stress in the high-fat-diet-induced metabolic syndrome.