The Effect of Six Weeks of Aerobic Training on Expression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Genes (X-box Binding Protein-1 and Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α) in the Heart Tissue of Male Rats with Streptozotocin (STZ)-Induced Diabetes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of aerobic training on expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress genes [X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)] in the heart tissue of male rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.

Twenty male rats with the mean weight of 204.0 ± 11.3 grams were randomly divided into four groups including of healthy control, healthy exercise, diabetic control, and diabetic training. They became diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). After confirmation of induction of diabetes by measuring fasting blood glucose level with glucometer, aerobic training program was performed with an average intensity for 30 minutes at a speed of 18 meters per minute, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress genes (XBP1 and eIF2α) was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis.

The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress genes (XBP1 and eIF2α) in heart tissue in diabetic rats was significantly higher than the healthy control group. After 6 weeks of aerobic exercise protocol, the expression of these genes in heart tissue was significantly lower in the diabetic group of exercise, healthy exercise, and healthy control than the diabetic control group.

The results of the present study showed that by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress factors in the heart of male rats with diabetes, aerobic training can be useful as a preventive and non-pharmacological factor in the treatment of patients with diabetes.