Comparison of the effects of continuous and intermittent aerobic training on cellular respiration indices (OCR) and ATP content in skeletal muscle of mice with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of continuous and intermittent aerobic training on cellular respiration indices and ATP content in skeletal muscle of rats with type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted experimentally with an interventional design. After induction of type 2 diabetes through high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection, male Wistar rats were divided into healthy control, healthy + continuous training, healthy + intermittent training, diabetic control, diabetic + continuous training, and diabetic + intermittent training groups. The training protocols were implemented for eight weeks. After the end of the intervention, the gastrocnemius muscle was extracted and cellular respiration indices including basal respiration, ATP-dependent respiration, maximal respiration, respiratory reserve capacity, proton leak, and coupling efficiency were measured, along with skeletal muscle ATP content. The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. The results showed that type 2 diabetes caused a significant decrease in OCR indices, a decrease in respiratory reserve capacity, a decrease in coupling efficiency, and a decrease in ATP content. Both types of aerobic training significantly improved mitochondrial respiratory function and increased ATP, however, interval training showed a greater effect on maximal respiration, respiratory reserve capacity, and OCR/ATP ratio than continuous training. Overall, the findings indicate that aerobic training, especially the interval training pattern, can modulate some of the metabolic disorders caused by type 2 diabetes by improving mitochondrial function and increasing the energy-generating capacity of skeletal muscle.