Exercise training increases glucose transporter protein GLUT-4 in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats.
The present study examined the level of GLUT-4 glucose transporter protein in gastrocnemius muscles of 36 week old genetically obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats and their lean (Fa/-) littermates, and in obese Zucker rats following 18 or 30 weeks of treadmill exercise training. Despite skeletal muscle insulin resistance, the level of GLUT-4 glucose transporter protein was similar in lean and obese Zucker rats. In contrast, exercise training increased GLUT-4 protein levels by 1.7 and 2.3 fold above sedentary obese rats. These findings suggest endurance training stimulates expression of skeletal muscle GLUT-4 protein which may be responsible for the previously observed increase in insulin sensitivity with training.
Friedman
J E
JE
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville 27858-4354.
Sherman
W M
WM
Reed
M J
MJ
Elton
C W
CW
Dohm
G L
GL
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001835:Body Weight; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins