Changes of PEPCK Gene Expression in Liver Tissue and HOMA-IR after High-Intensity Interval Training and Royal Jelly Consumption in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background and purpose: Type 2 diabetes is the most common endocrine disease due to glucose intolerance and imbalance between reserves and insulin demand. The aim of this study was to investigate the interactive effect of intensity interval training and n-chromosomal royal jelly on PEPCK gene expression of hepatocytes and glucose levels and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. Materials and methods: This experimental study was done in 36 Wistar rats (4-6 weeks, 100±20 g). After 20 weeks of high-fat diet, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg STZ per kg body weight. The rats were treated in four groups: control (n=8), training (n=10), royal jelly (n=8), and training-Royal Jelly (n=10). Training protocol continued for eight weeks, including High-intensity interval training (HIIT) for five sessions per week with 2-minute alternation of 2 and 8 interval at 80 to 90% vo2max and a one-minute rest cycle at 50 to 56% vo2max. Results: Compared to the control group, aerobic exercise led to significant reductions in glucose level and insulin resistance (both P<0.001). Exercise and royal jelly also resulted in increased PEPCK expression in hepatocytes compared to the controls. Conclusion: Improvement of glycemic profile in response to HIIT and royal jelly in diabetic rats can be attributed to changes in glucose and insulin levels and as well as changes in the expression of PEPCK hepatic gluconeogenic gene.

Keywords

• high-intensity interval training
• type 2 diabetes
• insulin
• royal jelly
• pepck gene