Effect of a High and Medium Intensity Interval Training Period with Liposomal Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on the Expression of Sema3A Protein in the Soleus Muscle of the Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes leads to impaired blood supply to the peripheral nerves. Sema3A (Semaphorin 3A) is a denervated protein that increases in response to hyperglycemia caused by diabetes. Exercise and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplements can protect against diabetes-induced denervation. This study was done to evaluate the effect of high and moderate-intensity interval training with alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on the expression of Sema3A protein in the soleus muscle of Induced diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, thirty-five male Wistar rats (weight range: 190-220 g, 6-8 weeks old) were randomly allocated into seven groups of five: healthy control, diabetic, diabetic supplement (S), diabetic high-intensity training (HIT), diabetic moderate-intensity training (MIT), diabetic high intensity+supplement (HIT+S), and diabetic moderate intensity training+supplement (MIT+S). Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg/bw). The HIT and MIT protocols were performed five days a week for six weeks. ALA was administered orally at 20 mg/kg daily by gavage. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of Sema3A protein in the soleus muscle. Serum insulin was measured by the ELISA method.

Diabetes leads to increased level of glucose, Sema3A, and a significant decrease in insulin in the soleus muscle compared to healthy (P<0.05). HIT and MIT in combination with ALA, significantly showed lower expression of Sema3A Protein than in the diabetic group (P<0.05).

Although HIT and MIT can reduce the expression of Sema3A protein in the soleus muscle of diabetic rats, combining alpha-lipoic acid supplementation with exercise training is more effective in reducing the amount of denervation.