The Effect of 8 Weeks of Low Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Hypoxia on Muscle PGC-1α Content, Fasting Glucose, Insulin Resistance, and Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

PGC-1α is a therapeutic target in type 2 diabetes that responds to aerobic exercise. Recent research has identified hypoxia as a new therapeutic intervention in type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of low intensity aerobic exercise in hypoxia on muscle PGC-1α content, fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and maximal oxygen consumption in type 2 diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n= 8 per group): healthy control, diabetic control, aerobic exercise, hypoxia, and aerobic exercise in hypoxia. Induction of diabetes was performed by high-fat diet-streptozotocin method. Exercises were performed for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week and 40-60 minutes at a speed of 10-15 meters per minute in each session. Normobaric hypoxia with 14. 4% oxygen was used. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test.

One-way analysis of variance in the study groups showed a significant difference in the research variables (p=0. 001). Bonferroni post hoc test showed a significant difference between the groups of healthy control, aerobic exercise, hypoxia, and aerobic exercise in hypoxia with the diabetic control group in PGC-1α, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance. In addition, the groups of healthy control, aerobic exercise and aerobic exercise in hypoxia were significantly different from the diabetic control group in Vo2max (p<0.05).

Low intensity aerobic exercise in hypoxia had a greater effect on research indicators compared to hypoxia and low intensity aerobic exercise.