The effect of resistance training on MTNR1A gene expression in pancreatic tissue and beta cell function in diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet and STZ

Introduction: Serum insulin are dependent on hormonal and genetic factors affecting beta cell function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on glucose, serum insulin, beta cell function, and MTNR1A expression in pancreatic tissue of type 2 diabetic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 14 male Wistar rats were made type 2 diabetic by high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of STZ (25 ml/kg). They were then randomly divided into exercise and control groups. The exercise group underwent 8 weeks of resistance training, (5 sessions/weekly), in the form of climbing a step ladder with gradually increasing resistance. 48 hours after the last training session, fasting glucose and serum insulin levels, beta cell function, and MTNR1A gene expression in pancreatic tissue were measured and compared between groups by independent t-test at a significance level of alpha less than 0.5 percent.
Results: Compared to control group, resistance training resulted in significant decrease in fasting glucose (p = 0.001) and MTNR1A gene expression (p= 0.003) in exercise compared with control group. In addition, serum insulin (p= 0.038) and beta cell function (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the control group.
Conclusion: In conclusion, resistance training achieved improvements in insulin synthesis in type 2 diabetics which can be attributed to reduced MTNR1A expression in pancreas tissue and improved beta cell function. Further studies are needed to clarify possible mechanisms effective in the insulin synthesis from the pancreas of type 2 diabetics