THE EFFECTS OF INTERVAL TRAINING INTENSITY ON SKELETAL MUSCLE PGC-1Α IN TYPE2 DIABETIC MALE RATS

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 12 weeks interval training with high and moderate intensity on PGC-1α of skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetic male rats. Methods: 40 male rats were divided into two groups: High fat diet (HFD) (n=32) and standard diet (C) (n=8) for 10 weeks. After inducing type2 diabetes via STZ, 8 diabetic rats (D) and 8 rats in group C rats sacrificed and the remaining 24 Rats were randomly assigned to three groups of diabetic control (DC), moderate intensity interval training (MIIT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT).The MIIT protocol includes 13 bouts of 4-minute activity with equivalent intensity of 60-65% vo2max  and the HIIT protocol includes 10 bouts of 4-minute activity with equivalent intensity of 85-90% vo2max with 2 minute active rest periods that was applied for 12 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Western Blot method was used to measure PGC-1α protein levels. Results: The results showed that PGC-1α protein levels were significantly lower in the D group compared to the HC group. In contrast, the HIIT protocol resulted in an increase in protein levels of PGC-1α compared to DC2 group. While MICT had no significant effect on protein levels of PGC-1α (P <0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between the two training groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that the intensity of interval training plays an important role in the regulation of skeletal muscle PGC-1α and possibly mitochondria biogenesis in type 2 diabetic rats.