The effect of aerobic exercise along with resveratrol supplementation on myocardial AMPK and MAFbx gene expression of diabetic rats

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is associated with heart injury. It has been shown that exercise training and resveratrol can improve the cardiac structure and function of diabetic subjects. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic training along with resveratrol on gene expression of AMPK and MAFbx on myocardial AMPK and MAFbx gene expression of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 males Wistar rats were randomly were divided into 5 groups: control (CN), diabetes (DM), diabetes-Resveratrol (RDM), diabetes-aerobic exercise (TDM), diabetes-aerobic exercise-Resveratrol (RTDM).Training groups have performed a running program on the treadmill for 8 weeks. Resveratrol (20 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 8 weeks for RDM and TRDM groups. 48 hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized. Changes in the expression of AMPK and MAFbx myocardial genes were quantified using real-time PCR methods. Results: The results of the present study showed a reduction in AMPK expression (P < 0.001) and an increase in MAFbx (P < 0.001) in cardiomyocytes in DM groups compared to CN group. AMPK expression was significantly increased in TRDM group compared to DM (p=0.009), RDM (p=0.011) and TDM (p=0.043) groups. MAFbx expression of cardiomyocytes in RDM (p=0.012), TDM (p<0.001) and TRDM (p<0.001) groups had significantly reduction compared to DM group. Also, MAFbx expression was significantly reduction in TRDM groups compared to RDM (p=0.041) groups. Conclusion: Long-term aerobic exercise, with and without resveratrol consumption it may cause to reduce the genomic indicators of atrophy and increase myocardial hypertrophy in diabetic rats. Key Words: AMPK; Diabetic Rats; Exercise; MAFbx; Resveratrol