Impact of different exercise training on mitochondrial in diabetic nephropathy

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic, resistance and combined exercise training on mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: non-diabetics (untrained, trained aerobic, trained resistance, trained combined), diabetic (untrained, trained aerobic, trained resistance, trained combined). Serum glucose levels, maximum effort test, renal function and mitochondrial biogenesis were assessed. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis protein and Acetil-CoA carboxylase. No differences were observed in body weight and glycaemia between diabetic rats. Diabetic animals and controls in the trained aerobic and combined groups exhibited an increase in running time, whereas animals in the trained resistance and combined groups showed greater strength. Our data suggest that exercise training can modulate the molecular pathways involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and control of renal system, decreasing the progression of diabetic nephropathy and indicating that renal disease can be prevented with non- pharmacological treatments. In conclusion, the three training protocols led to an increase in physical capacity and mitochondrial and renal benefits that were not dependent on improvements in glycemic control. In this model, combined training seems to promote more benefits than resistance or aerobic training alone.