The effect of a period of high-intensity interval training on the content of AMPK and PGC-1α proteins in the heart muscle tissue of rats with type 2 diabetes

AMPK and PGC-1α proteins are important factors in regulating processes such as mitochondrial biogenesis, maintaining intracellular energy balance, which diabetes can disturb the function of these proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a period high-intensity interval training on the content of AMPK and PGC-1α proteins in the heart muscle tissue of male rats with type 2 diabetes.

In this experimental study, 12 two-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean weight of 270±20 g were selected. After diabetic induction with STZ and nicotinamide, rats were randomly assigned to two groups, training and control (6 rats in group each). The training group trained for 4 days a week in accordance with the training program for 8 weeks; while the control group did not have any training program. Also, rats did not receive any insulin treatment during the study period. The independent t-test was used to analyze the data. Significance level is considered p≤0.05.

A significant increase was observed in the content of AMPK (P=0.001) and PGC-1α (P=0.0001) proteins in the High-Intensity Interval Training group compared to control.

The results showed that HIIT training could increase ATP and mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing the content of AMPK and PGC-1α proteins.