Resistance training inhibits the elevation of skeletal muscle derived-BDNF level concomitant with improvement of muscle strength in zucker diabetic rat.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we investigated the effects of 8 weeks of progressive resistance training on the level of skeletal muscle derived BDNF as well as glucose intolerance in Zucker diabetic rats.


METHODS
Six week-old male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and Zucker lean control (ZLC) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sedentary ZLC (ZLC-Con), sedentary ZDF (ZDF-Con), and exercised ZDF (ZDF-Ex). Progressive resistance training using a ladder and tail weights was performed for 8 weeks (3 days/week).


RESULTS
After 8 weeks of resistance training, substantial reduction in body weight was observed in ZDF-Ex compared to ZDF-Con. Though the skeletal muscle volume did not change, grip strength grip strength was significantly higher in ZDF-Ex compared to ZDF-Con. In the soleus, the level of BDNF was increased in ZDF-Con, but was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in ZDF-Ex, showing a training effect. Moreover, we found that there was a negative correlation (r=-0.657; p=0.004) between grip strength and BDNF level whereas there was a positive correlation (r=0.612; p=0.008) between plasma glucose level and BDNF level in skeletal muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
Based upon our results, we demonstrated that resistance training inhibited the elevation of skeletal muscle derived-BDNF expression concomitant with the improvement of muscle strength in zucker diabetic rats. In addition, muscle-derived BDNF might be a potential mediator for the preventive effect of resistance training on the progress of type 2 diabetes.
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Hee-Jae
HJ
Kim
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Byunghun
B
So
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Jun Seok
JS
Son
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Han Sol
HS
Song
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Seung Lyul
SL
Oh
Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, College of Veterinary Medicine Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Je Kyung
JK
Seong
Departments of Nuclear Medicine Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyeonggi-do Republic of Korea.
Hoyoung
H
Lee
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea; Institute on Aging, Seoul National University, Seoul Republic of Korea.
Wook
W
Song
Type 2 diabetes; exercise training; zucker diabetic fatty