Effect of Aerobic Training on Glucose-6-phosphatase Expression in the Liver Hepatocytes and Fasting Glucose in Type II Diabetic Rats

Increased release of glucose from the liver is one of the main characteristics of type II diabetes mellitus, which is attributed to the impaired functioning of the enzymes affecting the hepatic gluconeogenesis. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of aerobic training on glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) expression in the liver hepatocytes among type II diabetic rats. This experimental study was conducted on 16 male Wistar rats (220±20 g). The rats were subjected to type II diabetes induction by the intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Subsequently, they were randomly divided into exercise (n=8) and control (n=8) groups. The exercise group received an aerobic training program for 12 weeks (5 days a week). Fasting glucose and G6Pase expression in the liver hepatocytes were measured in both groups. The data were analyzed using independent t-test. The exercise group had significantly lower fasting glucose (P<0.01) and G6Pase expression (P<0.01) levels in the liver hepatocytes, compared to the control group. Based on the findings, it seems that aerobic training resulted in the decline of fasting glucose by inhibiting the hepatic gluconeogenesis caused by the reduction of the expression of G6Pase in the liver cells in diabetic patients.