Effect of exercise on the expression of adiponectin mRNA and GLUT4 mRNA in type 2 diabetic rats

To investigate the impact of exercise on the expression of adiponectin and GLUT4 mRNA in type 2 diabetic rats, type 2 diabetic rat model was made. The diabetic rats were treated with swimming training for 8 weeks. The expression of adiponectin mRNA in perirenal fat and GLUT4 mRNA in skeletal muscles were assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, and blood lipid were measured. Our results showed that the expression of adiponectin mRNA and GLUT4 mRNA in diabetic model group was decreased by 45% (P < 0.01), 43% (P < 0.01) respectively. The gene expression of adiponectin and GLUT4 was increased significantly in swimming group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Compared with the model group, fasting insulin, TG, TC and FFA were decreased significantly in the training group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) as compared with model group. It is concluded that exercise can promote the expression of adiponectin mRNA and GLUT4 mRNA in type 2 diabetic rats, which may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the amelioration of insulin resistance in the rats.