Changes of LXR α, GLUT2 genes expression in liver and insulin resistance after aerobic training in type 2 diabetic rats

The liver xα receptor (LXRα) participates in glucose metabolism. On the other hand, glucose transfer in liver by glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2). Therefore, this study was designed to examine the changes of LXRα, GLUT2 genes expression in liver and insulin resistance after 8 weeks of aerobic training in type 2 diabetic rats.

Eighteen male 8-weeks-old Wistar rats were selected as research sample. Diabetes was induced by nicotinamide and streptozotocin. Five days after diabetes induction, fasting blood glucose was measured using blood glucose strips. Rats with fasting blood glucose between 126-400 mg were selected as diabetic. Rats were divided into two groups: control and training. The training program was running with the speed of 10–25 m/min for 15-40 min/day, 5% slope, 5 days a week for 8 weeks.

Diabetes induction resulted in significant increase in body weight (p=0.001). Training group had higher muscle weight (p=0.001) and HbA1c (p=0.001) but lower glucose (p=0. 001), insulin (p=0.002) and insulin resistance index (p=0.002). LXRα and GLUT2 gene expressions were not different significantly.

It seems that 8 weeks aerobic training with 60-80% of vo2max can induce some positive metabolic changes in diabetic rats but did not induce any significant changes in LXRα and GLUT2 genes expression in liver tissue.