Effect of Aerobic Exercise Combined With Stevia Extract Supplementation on Selected Liver Enzymes in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes is a chronic disease associated with a wide range of liver diseases. The levels of liver enzymes such as Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are changed following a liver disease The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with Stevia extract supplementation on the levels of ALT and AST enzymes in diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 males wistar rats weighing 150-220 g were used. Animals were randomly divided into five groups; healthy control , diabetic control, diabetic + exercise, diabetic + stevia, and diabetic + exercise + stevia. The extract was administered by oral gavage for 6 weeks. The aerobic exercise program was performed for six weeks, 5 days per week. At the end of the intervention, blood samples were collected from the heart of rats to measure the levels of ALT and AST. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: The levels of ALT and AST enzymes decreased significantly in all experimental groups compared to diabetic control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise combined with stevia extract supplementation can improve the liver function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Keywords

• aerobic exercise
• diabetes mellitus
• liver enzymes
• stevia
• streptozotocin