The effect of high-intensity interval training on the expression of protein kinase B (Akt gene) in the left ventricle of male rats with type 2 diabetes

The term diabetes heart in diabetic patients includes pathologic left ventricular hypertrophy. Stimulation of the signaling and molecular pathways of cardiac myocardial remodeling through exercise in this regard can be considered as a therapeutic strategy for physiological development of the left ventricle. In the present study, the effect of 8 weeks of high intensity interval training on protein kinase B (AKT) gene expression, insulin resistance level, heart weight, glucose and serum insulin in male Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes. 

Twenty male wistar rats, 10 weeks old, weighing 220±20gr were randomly divided into two groups: HIIT group and control group. After familiarization, the training group participated in an 8-week protocol, 5 sessions per week, for 30 minutes per session. To check the AKT gene expression and the variables serum levels, RT-PCR method and ELISA method were used. The data were analyzed by t-test for independent groups at p<0.05 level

It was observed that in the HIIT group, AKT expression was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.01). Exercise also significantly decreased insulin resistance (p<0.001) and serum glucose index (p<0.001), while serum insulin increased significantly (p<0.05) in association with this decrease. Rats weight in the training group also increased compared to the control group (p<0.05).

HIIT exercise increases the expression of AKT gene, stimulates the physiological molecular pathway of hypertrophy and plays a role in preventing left ventricular hypertrophy as a complementary treatment.