A combination of aerobic and resistance training induces white adipose tissue browning

Authors

• Caroline de Picoli, Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Health Institute for Research, Scarborough, ME, USA.
• Gustavo Renan Gilio, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
• Felipe Henriques, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
• Kaltinaitis B. Santos, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
• Magno Alves Lopes, Department of Integrated Biotechnology Group, University of Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil.
• Solange Marta de Moraes, Department of Physiological Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-17-2026

Institution/Department

Center for Molecular Medicine

Journal Title

Journal of physiology and biochemistry

MeSH Headings

Animals; Male; Adipose Tissue, White (metabolism, cytology, physiology); Mice; Uncoupling Protein 1 (metabolism, genetics); Physical Conditioning, Animal; Adipose Tissue, Brown (metabolism, cytology); Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism, genetics); Resistance Training; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (metabolism, genetics); Adipocytes, Beige (metabolism)

Abstract

Combined training (CT) has been widely recommended as a strategy to improve metabolic health and is often prescribed in the context of obesity and its comorbidities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of CT on the induction of brown-like adipocytes and white adipose tissue (WAT) remodeling. Sixty male Swiss mice were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: sedentary (SED; n = 30) and combined training (CT; n = 30). Animals underwent incremental and load tests at the beginning of each week to adjust training intensity. The total CT training period lasted 8 weeks, with sessions performed five days a week. After euthanasia, WAT from the inguinal and retroperitoneal (iWAT and rpWAT) were harvested. Performance in the CT group was improved after 8 weeks, as indicated by an increase in V and the load lifted. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) was higher in the CT group than in the SED group. CT also increased the abundance of multilocular adipocytes and the expression of genes associated with brown and beige adipocyte phenotypes in iWAT and rpWAT. Together, these findings indicate that CT induces browning in iWAT and rpWAT in lean mice, supporting its potential relevance as a strategy for promoting WAT remodeling in the context of metabolic health.

Recommended Citation

Picoli, Caroline de; Gilio, Gustavo Renan; Henriques, Felipe; Santos, Kaltinaitis B.; Lopes, Magno Alves; and de Moraes, Solange Marta, "A combination of aerobic and resistance training induces white adipose tissue browning" (2026). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 4670.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/4670