The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and thyme honey on changes in Pdx1 gene expression in pancreatic tissue and insulin resistance index male rats with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is one of the metabolic disorders that leads to various cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and thyme honey on Pdx1 gene expression and insulin resistance index among type 2 diabetic male rats.

Totally, 36 rats became diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of strepotozocin after 20 weeks of high-fat diet. The rats were divided into four groups: control, HIIT, honey, HIIT+honey. Eight weeks of HIIT, five sessions per week was performed. Thyme honey at a dose of 3g/Kg/day was gavaged. Glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index, and Pdx1 gene expression were measured. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni’s tests.

Our results showed that glucose and insulin resistance index decreased in the HIIT+honey group compared to the control group (p=0.001). There was a significant increase in insulin (p=0.001) and a significant decrease in Pdx1 gene expression (p=0.0001) in all experimental groups compared to the control group.

HIIT and thyme honey had an effect on reducing glucose and insulin resistance index. In addition, HIIT and honey reduced the expression of Pdx1 gene in pancreatic tissue.