Effect of 8 Weeks of Endurance Training on S6K1 and 4EBP1 Proteins Content in the Left Ventricle of the Heart of Diabetic Rats Induced by Streptozotocin and Nicotinamide

Physiological hypertrophy of the heart is dependent on cellular pathways and important proteins such as the ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (S6K1) and  eukaryotic translation intiation factor4E-binding protein-1(4EBP1). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of endurance training on ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1 in the left ventricle of the heart of diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide.

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 streptozotocin and Nicotinamide, rats were randomly assigned to two groups, training diabetic and control diabetic (6 heads in group each). The training group performed endurance training 4 days a week for 8 weeks according to the training program; while the control group did not have any training program. Also, rats did not receive any insulin treatment during the study period. Protein content was measured using the Western blot method. The Independent t-test and SPSS software version 16 was used to analyze the data.

Eight weeks of endurance training resulted in a significant increase in S6K1 protein content (P=0.001); There was also a significant increase in 4EBP1 protein content in the endurance training group compared to the control (P=0.0001).

Eight weeks of endurance training resulted in a significant increase in S6K1 and 4EBP1 proteins in the hearts of diabetic subjects; activation of these proteins may regulate protein synthesis and cardiac hypertrophy.