The Effect of 12 Weeks Resistance Training on FOXO1 Expression in Hepatocytes, Glucose and Insulin in Diabetic Rats- A Brief-Report

In diabetic patients, hyperglycemia is associated with impaired FOXO signaling pathways in liver cells. This study aimed to determine the effect of resistance training on FOXO1 expression in liver hepatocytes and fasting glucose levels in type 2 diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, type 2 diabetes induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide-STZ in 16 male wistar rats (220±20 g) and were randomly divided into exercise (n=8) and control (n=8) groups. Exercise group were participated in resistance training program (12 weeks, 5 days/weekly). Fasting glucose and insulin as well as FOXO1 expression in liver hepatocytes were measured lasted exercise session of 2 groups and compared by independent T-test.

Compared to control group, resistance training resulted in significant decrease in fasting glucose (P-value< 0.0001) and decrease in serum insulin (P-value< 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found in FOXO1 expression in liver cells between exercise and control groups (P-value: 0.725).

Based on this data, improvement of glycemic profile in response to resistance training in diabetic rats cannot be attributed to FOXO1 expression in liver cells. This improvement may be attributed to an increase in serum insulin or other hormonal or genetic changes in response to resistance exercise, which will require further studies in this area.