Eight weeks of HIIT can modulate some components involved in the NLRP3 inflammasome, as well as monocyte chemokine receptors, in individuals with obesity, suggesting an improvement in the control of inflammatory status.
Key Findings
Results
NLRP3 expression was unchanged following eight weeks of HIIT in individuals with obesity.
NLRP3 expression did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.08) after the training period.
Participants were individuals with obesity (n = 109) who had not exercised in the last six months, aged 18–60 years of both sexes.
The trained group performed three weekly HIIT sessions over eight weeks.
Gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR before and after the training period.
Results
HIIT decreased Caspase-1 (CASP-1) expression compared to baseline in individuals with obesity.
The decrease in CASP-1 expression after HIIT was statistically significant (p = 0.04).
CASP-1 is a component of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex.
Expression was measured by real-time PCR before and after the 8-week training period.
Results
HIIT increased ASC (PYCARD) expression compared to baseline in individuals with obesity.
The increase in ASC expression after HIIT was highly significant (p < 0.0001).
ASC is a component of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex.
This change was in the opposite direction to the decrease observed in CASP-1 expression.
Expression was measured by real-time PCR.
Results
HIIT led to lower IL-6 expression in individuals with obesity, with no differences observed in IL-1β and IL-18 expressions.
IL-6 expression was significantly decreased after HIIT (p < 0.0001).
IL-1β and IL-18 expressions showed no statistically significant differences following HIIT.
IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 are cytokines associated with the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
Expression was assessed by real-time PCR before and after the 8-week intervention.
Results
HIIT increased CCR2 and CCR5 monocyte chemokine receptor expression while decreasing CX3CR1 expression compared to baseline.
CCR2 expression increased significantly after HIIT (p < 0.0001).
CCR5 expression increased significantly after HIIT (p = 0.001).
CX3CR1 expression decreased significantly after HIIT (p = 0.007).
These chemokine receptors were analyzed by real-time PCR before and after the 8-week training period.
Results
Differentially expressed genes following HIIT showed interaction with NLRP3 inflammasome genes in interaction analysis.
The differentially expressed genes analyzed included CASP-1, ASC (PYCARD), IL-6, CCR2, CX3CR1, and CCR5.
Interaction analysis revealed these genes interact with NLRP3 inflammasome genes.
This analysis was described as a 'differentially expressed genes interaction analysis.'
Methods
The study included individuals with obesity who were randomized into a trained group performing HIIT and an untrained control group.
Total sample size was n = 109 individuals with obesity.
Inclusion criteria specified participants had not exercised in the last six months, were of both sexes, and aged between 18 and 60 years.
The HIIT protocol consisted of three weekly sessions over eight weeks.
HIIT is characterized by a period of high-intensity stimulation followed by a recovery period.
The study was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC number RBR-8vfxfqd).
Silveira A, de Abreu D, Musto A, Nali L, do Amaral J, Bachi A, et al.. (2026). The effects of high-intensity interval training on NLRP3 inflammasome and monocyte chemokine receptors in individuals with obesity.. PloS one. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343214