The Effect of 8 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training on GLUT4 and GALR2 Gene Expression in Skeletal Muscle Tissue of Obese Female Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

The present study is an applied, basic, and experimental research that examined the effect of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training on the gene expression of GLUT4 and GALR2 in the skeletal muscle tissue of obese female rats with type 2 diabetes. To conduct this study, 40 female Wistar rats, aged 8 weeks with an average weight of 200 grams, were obtained from the animal farm of Kerman University of Medical Sciences for use in laboratory experiments at the same institution. After the animals adapted to their new environment, they were divided into four groups, with 10 rats each. The groups were as follows: healthy control (without diabetes and without exercise), diabetic control (with diabetes and without exercise), healthy exercise (without diabetes and with exercise), and diabetic exercise (with diabetes and with exercise). The diabetic control and diabetic exercise groups were induced with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and then underwent an 8-week exercise intervention. To induce diabetes in the samples, a single intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) was administered. High-intensity interval training was conducted for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Data analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test was used for intergroup comparisons. The findings showed that 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training led to a significant increase in the expression of GALR2 and GLUT4 in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue. Overall, it can be stated that 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training resulted in significant improvements in metabolism and hormonal function in obese female rats with type 2 diabetes. These exercises increased the expression of genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism, such as GALR2 and GLUT4, in skeletal muscle tissue, indicating enhanced energy consumption and improved metabolic performance in these animals.