The effect of swimming training on oxidative stress, SIRT1 gene expression, and histopathology of hepatic tissue in type 2 diabetic rats

Introduction: Elevated oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been proposed
as one of the major risk factors in pathophysiology of several organ damages including liver
tissue. Materials and methods: In this study, we evaluated the effect of swimming training on
hepatic oxidative markers, SIRT1 gene expression, and histological alterations in T2DM.
Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (N = 7): control,
exercise, diabetic, and diabetic + exercise. One week after the induction of T2DM, rats were
subjected to swimming (60 min/5 days a week) for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment,
oxidative markers (SOD, GPx, CAT activities, and MDA level) and SIRT1 gene expression
were measured in the liver by special kits and RT-PCR, respectively. Hematoxylin–eosin
statins were used for histological alterations. Results: Swimming training attenuated MDA
levels and enhanced SOD, GPx, and CAT activities in the liver of diabetic animals.
Furthermore, swimming training restored the expression of SIRT1 in T2DM. Histopatho-
logical finding of the hepatic tissue confirmed a protective role for swimming training in
diabetic rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that swimming training attenuates oxidative
stress probably by upregulation of SIRT1 in the liver of type 2 diabetic rats.