Resistance training and glucose profile in obese diabetes rats; the role of gluconeogenic genes expression

Genetic studies point to the effective role of protein levels or expression of gluconeogenic genes in hepatic glucose release in healthy or diseased individuals. This study aimed to assess the effect of resistance training on PEPCK expression in hepatocytes in obese rats with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

For this purpose, 21 rats obesed by 6 weeks high-fat diet (HFD) were randomly divided to 1) non-diabetic, 2) control T2D, 3) exercise T2D groups. Type 2 diabetes induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ: 25 mg/kg) in diabetes groups. The rat of exercise group were completed resistance training for six weeks (5 times weekly) in the form of climbing the ladder by applying resistance. The non-diabetic and control T2D groups did not participate in the exercise program. 48 hours after the lasting exercise session, PEPCK expression in hepatocytes, serum insulin and glucose were compared between groups. Data compared by One-Way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (P< 0.05).

T2D induction resulted in significant decrease in insulin and increase in fasting glucose and PEPCK expression in hepatocytes compare with non-diabetes rats. Resistance training resulted in significant increase in insulin and decrease in fasting glucose and PEPCK expression in hepatocytes of exercise T2D than control T2D group.

Based on these data, we conclude that resistance training can be improve glucose in diabetes rats and tis effect may be attributed decrease PEPCK expression in response to this training method.