Effects of six weeks of aerobic training on the protein levels of Aβ-40 and IGF-1 in the hippocampus of diabetic rats

Functional disorder of the nervous system is one of the consequences of type 2 diabetes. Aβ-40 and IGF-1 are probably involved in this mechanism. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic training on Aβ-40 and IGF-1 proteins in the hippocampus of rats with type 2 diabetes.

A total of 32 8-week-old male Wistar rats were placed in 4 groups: control (C), diabetes (D), diabetes training (DT), and training (T). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection. The training was performed for six weeks. To measure proteins, the ELISA method was used, and a one-way ANOVA test was used for data analysis.

The amount of Aβ-40 in group D was different from that of DT, T, and C groups (P<.05). The DT group displayed a significant difference from the C and T groups (P<.05). Aβ-40 levels were not different between T and C groups (P=0.604). The amount of IGF-1 in the D group was lower compared to all groups (P=0.001). Nonetheless, the DT group had no difference from the C and T groups (P>.05). The amount of IGF-1 in the T group was different only from the D group (P=0.001). The positive (Aβ-40) and negative (IGF-1) correlations were observed with blood glucose (P=0.001, r=0.850 and P=0.001, r=-0.814).

Diabetes increases Aβ-40 and decreases IGF-1. Nevertheless, exercise moderates the effect of diabetes on them. Considering the appropriate duration of exercise and the correlation of these proteins with blood glucose, an increase in the intensity of aerobic training may further regulate the negative effect of diabetes on these two proteins.