The Effect of 12 Weeks of High Intensity Interval Training on Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cardiac Myocytes of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on gene expression of DRP1, MFN2 and OPA1 in cardiac muscle of type 2 diabetic male Wistar rats. Therefore, 20 rats (age: 10 weeks old and mean weight: 220±20 g) were divided randomly into 2 groups: diabetic control (n=10) and diabetic HIIT (n=10). The training protocol was performed for 12 weeks, 5 days a week with specific duration and intensity. 48 hours after the last training session, ventricular cardiac samples were obtained for further genetic experiments. Independent t test was used for data analysis (P≤0.05). The results showed no significant difference in MFN2 gene expression between diabetic control and diabetic HIIT groups (P=0.337). But 12 weeks of training significantly increased gene expression of DRP1 (P=0.001) and OPA1 (P=0.001) proteins in diabetic rats. It can be generally stated that HIIT may positively regulate gene expression of mitochondrial dynamics in diabetes.