Low‐Intensity Exercise Training Prevents Muscular Microangiopathy in Non‐obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Abstract

PURPOSEThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of low‐intensity exercise training on the angiopathy of skeletal muscle by type 2 diabetes.METHODSMale Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) non‐obese type 2 diabetic rats (6 weeks old) and wild‐type Wistar rats (Con) were used. GK rats divided into 2 groups: diabetes (GK) and diabetes plus low‐intensity exercise training (GK+Ex). The low‐intensity exercise training was conducted during 60 min, 5 times per week, for 3 weeks. The three‐dimensional capillary network of soleus muscle was visualized using a confocal laser microscopy. The mRNA expression levels of angiogenic factors (VEGF, KDR, Flt‐1, Ang‐1, Ang‐2, Tie‐2, and HIF‐1 alpha) in the soleus muscle were determined by TaqMan probe‐based real‐time PCR.RESULTSThe capillary volume in the muscle was lower in GK than in Con rats. However, the capillary volume in the muscle of GK+Ex was increased toward to the level of Con rats. Although the expression levels of angiogenic factors in the muscle were lower in GK than in Con, those were increased toward to the levels of those in GK+Ex rats.CONCLUSIONThe present results provide evidence of the effectiveness of endurance exercise training that reduces the muscle circulatory complications associated with type 2 diabetes. Supported by Grants‐in‐Aid for Science Research from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, no. 22300189.