본 연구에서는 중강도 운동을 한 비만 흰쥐를 대상으로 정향 투여에 따른 염증 관련 단백질, 근육 합성 및 분해 관련 단백질에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 규칙적인 중강도 운동은 혈청 내 산화 스트레스와 leptin 수준을 억제시켰다. 또한, 염증 관련 단백질을 감소시켰으며, 근육합성 관련 단백질을 활성화 및 근육 분해 관련 단백질 억제를 통해 근육 대사를 조절하였다. 여기에 정향의 투여는 혈청 내 염증성 사이토카인 IL-1β를 유의적으로 감소시켜 염증을 효과적으로 개선하는 효과를 발휘하였다.
Purpose: This study examined whether regular moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (Ex) and Syzygium aromaticum L. (SA) administration can influence lipid and muscle metabolism in obese rats induced by a 60% high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Rats, except those in the Normal group, were exposed to a 60% HFD for 4 weeks to induce obesity. The obese rats were assigned randomly to three groups: HFD control group, HFD+Ex group, and HFD+Ex+SA group. Treadmill exercise was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks, with a 5° incline and a speed of 18 m/min (Week 1: 20 minutes; Weeks 2: 25 minutes; Weeks 3–4: 30 minutes). Serum analysis was performed. Western blot analysis was conducted on the liver and soleus muscle, and histopathological analysis was carried out on the liver and adipose tissues. Results: The body weight change in the Ex groups was significantly lower than in the HFD control group, while the soleus muscle weight in the HFD+Ex group increased significantly. The histopathological examination in the Ex groups revealed a marked reduction in liver lipid accumulation and a decrease in adipocyte size in adipose tissue. Obesity induction increased leptin levels substantially, but Ex notably reversed these changes. Ex resulted in significant inhibition of ROS and ONOO−, whereas the serum inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, and total cholesterol were reduced only by SA administration. Furthermore, the inflammatory proteins in the liver were inhibited more effectively when Ex was supplemented with SA. The expression of the muscle synthesis-related proteins and degradation proteins were modulated by Ex and Ex+SA. Conclusion: Ex significantly affected lipid and muscle metabolism, and adding SA alleviated the inflammation.