THE EFFECT OF EIGHT WEEKS OF MODERATE-INTENSITY RESISTANCE AND CONTINUOUS TRAINING ON PLASMA LEVELS OF WNT3A, WNT4, AND THE NUMBER OF BETA CELLS OF THE PANCREAS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Background: The role of Wnts as mediators of pancreatic development has been confirmed, and exercise training may affect this process. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training and moderate-intensity training on plasma Wnt3a, Wnt4, and pancreatic beta-cell count in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic + moderate-intensity continuous training, and diabetic + moderate-intensity resistance training. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of 110 mg nicotinamide and 40 mg streptozotocin per kg of body weight. The exercise training intervention was performed for eight weeks. Plasma Wnt3a and Wnt4 were measured by the ELISA method, and the number of beta cells was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin. Results: Data analysis showed that the number of beta cells in the exercise group increased significantly compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05). Also, a significant change was observed in the plasma levels of Wnt3a and Wnt4 in the exercise group compared to the healthy control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that eight weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training and eight weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training probably caused the proliferation and protection of beta cells in response to an increase in Wnt3a and a decrease in Wnt4 in the diabetic rats.