Interactive Effects of Endurance Training and Crocin on Aerobic Capacity, Dietary Intake and Weight of High-Fat Diet- Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Diabetes and obesity are closely related with each other. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of endurance training and crocin on aerobic capacity, weight and diet in high fat diet and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 49 adult diabetic rats (induced by high-fat diet and venous injection of streptozotocin) were randomly assigned to (1) high intensity interval training (HIIT), (2) low intensity continuous training(LICT), (3) HIIT and crocin consumption, (4) LICT and crocin consumption, (5) crocin consumption, (6) sham and (7) control. HIIT and LICT groups exercised on a rodent treadmill for eight weeks, three sessions per week, with an intensity of 80- 85, and 50- 55 percent of maximum speed, respectively, and crocin consumption groups received peritoneally 25 mg/kg of crocin each day for eight weeks. The data were analyzed by independent sample t-test, dependent sample t-test, two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni's post hoc tests (p≤0.05).

Eight weeks of endurance training had a significant effect on weight loss, dietary intake and increased aerobic capacity (p≤0.05). Crocin consumption and endurance training have interactive effects on weight loss (p≤0.05) However, this interaction is not significant in increasing aerobic capacity and dietary intake. (p≥0.05).

It seems that endurance training and crocin consumption have interactive effects on weight loss in high fat diet and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.