The effect of 6 weeks interval training on hepatic glucose release with emphasis on hepatocytes FOXO1 expression in type 2 diabetes rats

Shariati, Mehradad; Eizadi, Mojtaba; Khorshidi, Davood

doi:10.22038/mjms.2026.94203.5219

The effect of 6 weeks interval training on hepatic glucose release with emphasis on hepatocytes FOXO1 expression in type 2 diabetes rats

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mehradad Shariati

Mojtaba Eizadi

Davood Khorshidi

Department of Exercise physiology, Sav.C., Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran

10.22038/mjms.2026.94203.5219

Abstract

Introduction: Despite numerous studies regarding type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment, few studies have prospectively examined the effect of exercise training on metabolic or genetic components affecting hepatic glucose release in this patients. This study aimed to assess the effect of interval training on hepatocytes FOXO1 expression as well fasting glucose and hemoglobin glycolysis (HbA1C) in obese rats with T2D.
Methods: For this purpose, T2D induced by 8 weeks high fat diet and intraperitoneal STZ injection (25 mg/kg) in 14 males wistar rats and then were divided into control (n=7) or interval (n=7) groups. Interval subjects were completed a 6 weeks interval training (5 times/weekly) and control group remained no training. 48 hours after lasting exercise session, fasting glucose, serum insulin, HbA1c and hepatocytes FOXO1 expression were measured and compared by independent t test between groups.
Results: Interval training resulted in significant decrease in hepatocytes FOXO1 expression compared to control group (p=0.023). In addition, interval training led to significant decrease in fasting glucose (p=0.001) and HbA1C (p=0.008) and significant increase in serum insulin (p=0.001) compared to control group.
Conclusion: Based on this data, improving in fasting glucose and HbA1c following interval training may be attributed in decreased hepatocytes FOXO1 expression or increased serum insulin in response in this training method.

Keywords

Type 2 diabetes

Interval training

Hepatic glucose release

Gene expression

Subjects