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Effects of Eight Weeks of Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on the Expression of Muscle Mass Regulatory Proteins in the MAPK Signaling Pathway in Skeletal Muscle of Male Wistar Rats with Type 2 Diabetes
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Malihe Bovand    , Elaheh Heidarnia * , Mehrzad Moghadasi |
| Department of Sport Sciences, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran , heidarniae@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: (657 Views) |
Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as a pathological stressor, can impair the function of key cellular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle. In contrast, aerobic exercise, as a physiological stressor, may modulate these dysfunctions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on the expression of muscle mass regulatory proteins within the MAPK signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle of male Wistar rats with T2DM.
Methods: In this experimental study, 18 male rats were used. Twelve rats were induced to develop type 2 diabetes using a high-fat diet (60% of calories from fat) combined with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) and nicotinamide (110 mg/kg body weight). These animals were then randomly assigned to two groups: diabetic training (MICT) and diabetic control (n = 6 per group). In addition, a healthy control group (n = 6) was included. The training protocol was performed for 8 weeks, five sessions per week, with progressively increasing workload. Forty-eight hours after the final exercise session, gastrocnemius muscle samples were collected, and protein expression levels were assessed using Western blot analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism software, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.
Results: The expression levels of RAF-1 (η² = 0.961; P = 0.001; F(2,15) = 183.06) and p-ERK1 (η² = 0.960; P = 0.001; F(2,15) = 181.85) were significantly increased in the MICT group compared with both diabetic and healthy control groups. In contrast, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels was observed following the MICT protocol (η² = 0.967; P = 0.001; F(2,15) = 221.64).
Conclusion: The upregulation of RAF-1 and p-ERK1 following eight weeks of MICT suggests activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, which may contribute to skeletal muscle protein synthesis processes. Therefore, moderate-intensity continuous training may serve as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving metabolic status and enhancing skeletal muscle health in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
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| Keywords: Moderate-intensity continuous training, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, MAPK signaling pathway, Skeletal muscle |
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Full-Text [PDF 549 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/10/25 | Revised: 2026/04/19 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2026/03/15
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