The Effect of Six Weeks Increasing Endurance Training and Consuming L-Carnitine on Apoptotic Factors of Bax, Bcl-2 and Bax / Bcl-2 in the Hippocampus of Diabetic Rats

Exercise is an effective factor in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of many metabolic disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of six weeks’ endurance training and consuming L-carnitine on apoptotic factors in the hippocampus of diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 45 Wistar male rats, weighing between 250 and 300 grams, were randomly divided into six groups. Rats became diabetic by being injected with 95 mg nicotinic amide and after 15 minutes, 55mg streptozotocin (STZ). Rats receiving Lcarnitine, daily received 100 milligrams of l-carnitine orally. The endurance training protocol consisted of five sessions, starting with 20 minutes at 10 speeds in 0 degrees slope in the first week, and 40 minutes at 20 speed in 5 degrees slope in the sixth week. The variables were measured 24 hours after the last exercise session by ELISA and in brain tissue. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyze the data.

The results showed that aerobic exercise and L-carnitine consumption had a significant effect on BAX, Bcl-2 and Bax / Bcl2 ratio of hippocampus in rats (P = 0.001). It was also found that in all three variables, the diabetic control group with sham groups (P = 0.001), aerobic training (P = 0.001), supplementation of l-carnitine (P = 0.036), exercise and supplementation P = 0.001); between the aerobic exercise group and the complementary groups of l-carnitine (P = 0.025), aerobic exercise and supplementation of l-carnitine (P = 0.001) and complementary group with aerobic training group and complement of l-carnitine (P = 0.001) there is a significant difference.

Regarding the combined effect of endurance training and the use of L-carnitine on exercise and exercise versus the complement of L-carnitine on the research factors endurance training are recommended to diabetics. But since the use of the supplement may have side effects, the use of l-carnitine is advised by physicians.