Effect of eight weeks aerobic training on the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats

Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with enhanced oxidative stress-induced myocardial injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the of eight weeks aerobic training on the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.

To implementation of this experimental research, 40 male Wistar rats (weight 185.2±22.7 gr) randomly were divided into 4 groups including control, diabetes, training and diabetes-training. In this study, the rats were type 2 diabetic using peritoneal injection nicotinamide-STZ. aerobic training performed with intensity of 50-60% VO2max, 5 days a week and for 8 weeks. The levels of the antioxidant catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in heart tissue were measured using kit and by ELISA method. Data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test at the p < 0.05.

The results showed that the levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic control rats was lower than the healthy control group (P=0.001). Eight weeks of aerobic training significantly increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in the heart tissue of type 2 diabetic rats (P=0.001).

According to the research results, aerobic exercise may improve the cardiac function of diabetic subjects by increasing the antioxidant enzymes in the heart tissue. As a result, these training are recommended as adjunctive therapy in these patients.