The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Capsaicin on the Gene Expression of Pancreaticpdx1 and GLUT2 in Rats Fed High-Fat Diet

Background: Evidence has suggested that high-fat diet (HFD) promote hyperinsulinemia and pancreatic islet dysfunction with insulin resistance in adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise and capsaicin on the gene expression of pancreaticPdx1 and GLUT2 in Rats HFD. Methods: this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 8) or high-fat diet (HFD) (n = 32) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, all rats were divided into 5 groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet-training (HFDT), high-fat diet-capsaicin (HFDCap), high-fat diet-training-capsaicin (HFDTCap). Training groups have performed a moderate intensity aerobic running program (60-50% VO2max, at 15-25 m/min, 30-60 min/day, and 5 days/week) on a motor-driven treadmill for eight weeks. Capsaicin (4 mg/kg/day) were administered orally, by gavage, once a day. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at p<0.05. Results: the results showed significant increase in expression of Pdx1 and GLUT2 in HFDT (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively), HFDCap (p = 0.022 and p = 0.026, respectively) and HFDTCap (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively) groups. Conclusion: also, a significant increase in the expression of Pdx1 and GLUT2 was observed in the HFDTCap compared to the HFDCap (respectively P=0.037, and p=0.044). The results showed that HFD impaired pancreatic beta cell function and that aerobic exercise alone and with capsaicin could significantly increase islet cell function by increasing Pdx1 and GLUT2 expression.