The effect of exercise on ob gene expression.

Expression of the ob gene is subject to nutritional as well as hormonal regulation to control fat storage. In the present study we investigated the effect of acute exercise and long-term exercise training on ob mRNA levels in rat adipose tissue. Northern blot analysis showed that a single bout of exercise significantly decreased ob mRNA levels approximately 30% immediately and 3 hr after exercise. After 4 weeks of exercise training the ob mRNA level was significantly decreased approximately 48% at 2 hr after the last training session compared to the control group. These data demonstrated that exercise has a transient effect on ob gene expression and suggest that regulation of ob gene expression may help control energy balance following exercise.