Effect of three months aerobic training on TCF7L2 expression in pancreatic tissue in type 2 diabetes rats induced by streptozotocin- nicotinamide

Although less is known about the molecular mechanisms responsible for its genetic compatibility, regular training is identified as a non-pharmacological treatment for obesity and type-II diabetes. This study aimed to determine the effect of a 3 months aerobic training on pancreatic TCF7L2 expression and glycemic profile in type II diabetic rats.
In this experimental study, type II diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats (n=16, weight: 220±30 g) by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin- nicotinamide. Animals were randomly divided into Exercise (n=8) and Control (n=8) groups. Exercise group, but not Control group, was completed a 3 month aerobic training (3 sessions/week). Forty-eight hours after the last exercise session, the relative expression of pancreatic TCF7L2, fasting glucose and serum insulin were measured in two groups.
Compared to Control rats, exercise resulted in a significant decrease in fasting glucose in Exercise group (P=0.001). Serum insulin was increased significantly by aerobic training in Exercise group compared to Control one (P=0.014). However, pancreatic TCF7L2 expression did not change by aerobic training (P=0.876).
Based on these data, while we concluded that a long-term aerobic training effectively improves the glycemic profile and insulin concentration of type II diabetic rats, such improvements cannot be attributed to TCF7L2 expression in pancreatic tissue.