The Expression of Liver Metabolic Enzymes AMPKα1, AMPKα2, and PGC-1α due to Exercise in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model

BACKGROUND: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PGC-1α were crucial metabolism enzymes not only in the skeletal muscles but also in the liver. Exercise can modify metabolic enzymes to improve insulin resistance. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of mRNA liver metabolic enzymes gene, that is, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, and PGC-1α in different types and intensities of exercise. METHODS: Healthy male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks in 150–180 g body weight were given a combination of high fat diet for five weeks and low doses of streptozotocin (30 mg/kgbw and 45 mg/kgbw in 0.1 citrate buffer pH 4,5) to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat model. Animals then were divided into five groups: One group was sedentary, and four groups were forced to run on the treadmill 3 times/week, 30 min each season, for 8 weeks. mRNA gene expression of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, and PGC-1α was determined with real-time PCR. RESULTS: The results showed that expression of mRNA AMPKα1 in treatment groups was elevated than control and the much expression was showed in continuous types. The expression of mRNA AMPKα2 and PGC-1 α was declined in treatment group which little expression was showed in high intensity for AMPKα2 and moderate intensity for PGC-1 α. Base on type and exercise intensity, mRNA AMPKα1 gene expression much in moderate continuous, mRNA AMPKα2 gene expression higher in high intensity, both continuous and interval training, whereas mRNA PGC-1α gene expression higher in interval groups. CONCLUSION: Various types of aerobic exercises with moderate-vigorous intensities gave different impact to mRNA liver metabolic enzyme genes