EFFECT OF AEROBIC TRAINING ON THE FUNCTION OF HEPATIC SODIUM-DEPENDENT ASCORBATE TRANSPORTER TYPE 2 AND SERUM LEVELS OF HEPATIC TRANSAMINASES IN HEALTHY AND DIABETIC WISTAR RATS: INTERVENTIONAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Sodium-dependent ascorbate transporter 2 (SVCT2) plays a key role in the transmission of ascorbic acid to hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of aerobic training on hepatic SVCT2 levels, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in diabetic rats.

In this interventional and experimental study, 25 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1) healthy control, 2) healthy training, 3) diabetes control, 4) diabetes training, and 5) sham. After Induction of diabetes, training program consisted of 6 weeks of running on the treadmill, 5 sessions per week (for 20-40 minutes). Serum and liver tissues were evaluated to investigate the effect of exercise training on ascorbic acid metabolism.

Induction of diabetes significantly decreased serum and hepatic ascorbic acid levels and significantly increased hepatic SVCT2 protein, ALT and AST serum levels (p <0.001). The results also showed that regular aerobic exercise decreased serum glucose levels, serum levels of ALT and AST but had no significant effect on serum hepatic and ascorbic acid levels and hepatic SVCT2.

According to the results of this study, induction of diabetes reduces hepatic ascorbic acid levels, which seems to be associated with hyperglycemia and liver injury. On the other hand, six weeks of aerobic exercise reduced blood glucose and liver transaminases, but had no significant effect on level of serum, hepatic ascorbic acid, and hepatic SVCT2 levels.