The Effect of Interval Training on GCK Expression in Hepatocytes and Glucose Homeostasis in Type 2 Diabetes Rats

Hepatic glucose release plays a potential role in hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. The aim of this experimental study was to determine the effect of 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on fasting levels of glucose and insulin as well as glucokinase (GCK) expression in liver tissue in obese T2D rats.

T2D was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection in 14 male wistar rats, then were randomly divided into HIIT (n=7) and control (n=7) groups. The HIIT group practiced 6-week HIIT (5 days/ weekly). Finally, 48 hours after the last session, fasting levels of glucose, insulin, and GCK expression in liver hepatocytes of both groups were measured and compared by independent T-test (SPSS, Version 22.0).

HIIT resulted in a significant decrease of fasting glucose compared to the control group (P< 0.0001). Compared with the control group, serum insulin (P: 0.018) and GCK expression in hepatocytes (P: 0.030) were significantly increased.

Based on these findings, the improvement in glucose in response to HIIT may be rooted in increased insulin and GCK expression in hepatocytes. However, understanding the mechanisms responsible for the effect of exercise training on the processes affecting hepatic glucose release requires further studies.