HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING INHIBITS AUTOPHAGY IN THE HEART TISSUE OF TYPE 2 DIABETIC RATS BY DECREASING THE CONTENT OF FOXO3A AND BECLIN-1 PROTEINS

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a complication type 2 diabetes mellitus that can lead to cardiac muscle autophagy through the proteins FOXO3a and Beclin-1. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 8 weeks High intensity interval training (HIIT) on the content of FOXO3a and Beclin-1 proteins in heart muscle tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats with type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 12 two-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats with a mean weight of 270±20 g were selected. After diabetic induction with STZ and Nicotinamide, rats were randomly assigned to two groups, diabetic training (6 heads) and diabetic control (6 heads). The training group trained for 4 days a week in accordance with the training program (each session 42 minutes, 10-30 m/m) for 8 weeks, while the control group did not have any training program. Also, rats did not receive any insulin treatment during the study period. The independent t-test was used to analyze the data. Significance level is considered p≤0.05. Results: Eight weeks of HIIT training resulted in a significant decrease in FOXO3a (P=0.008) and Beclin-1 (P=0.002) proteins content in diabetic training group compared to diabetic control group. Conclusion: It can be said that eight weeks of HIIT training decreased the FOXO3a/Beclin-1 autophagy pathway by decreasing FOXO3a and Beclin-1 protein content. Therefore, the use of HIIT exercises may be useful for diabetic subjects who are prone to diabetic cardiomyopathy.