The effect of different intensities of endurance training on NLRP-3 Inflammasome protein expression in visceral adipose tissue, serum glucose levels and insulin in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

NLRP-3 Inflammasome is considered an indicator of chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) which can result in secretion of IL-1β from adipose tissue. Despite numerous investigations on the underlying activation mechanisms of NLRP-3 in pathogenesis of T2DM, less attention has been paid to the impact of exercise on NLRP-3. Male stereptpzosin-induces diabetic rats (n=40) were randomly assigned to five groups (n=8): diabetic+ low intensity  endurance training (DL), diabetic+ moderate intensity endurance training (DM), diabetic+ high intensity endurance training (DH), non-diabetic with no training(CON), and diabetic with no training(D). Eight weeks of running (four sessions per week) with different intensities were completed. Western blotting method was used to measure NLRP3.  ELISA technique was used to assess serum levels of insulin and glucose. Results showed that expression of NLRP-3 protein were significantly lower in endurance DM (P<0.05) and endurance DH (P<0.05) groups against DL group. Caspase-1 expression was significantly lower in DL (P=0.001), DM (P<0.05), and DH (P<0.05) compared with D group. However, no significant different was found between the training groups. Serum insulin level was significantly lower in endurance DH group compared with endurance DL group (P<0.05).In comparison with D group, significant reduction of serum glucose was observed in endurance DL group (P<0.05), endurance DM (P<0.05), and endurance DH (P<0.05). It appears that training with high and moderate intensities induced positive modulation in NLRP-3 expression as well as improved glycemic factors levels.