The effect of voluntary exercise on atherosclerosis, miR-200b, miR-200c and Zeb-1 expression levels in the aorta of type 2 diabetic male rats

Abstract

Diabetes is a known dangerous factor in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, which can be reduced by modifying the lifestyle. Since the effect of exercise in reducing diabetes and cardiovascular risk indicators has been proven; In this study, we investigated at one of the intracellular signaling pathways mediated by miR-220b, miR-200c and ZEB-1 in the process of the effect of voluntary exercise. Methods and materials: Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (Con), diabetic (Dia), exercise (Exe), and diabetic- exercise (Dia-Exe) groups. Diabetes was induced by high-fat diet for four weeks followed by a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg/ip). At the end of the study and anesthetizing the animals, aorta tissue was prepared for histological examination and measurement of miR-200b, miR-200c and ZEB-1 gene expression levels. Result

The results showed that compared to the control group, diabetes significantly increased the expression level of miR-200b (P<0.001) and miR-200b (P<0.05) in the aorta tissue (P<0.001). Also, in the diabetic group, the expression level of ZEB-1 gene expression decreased significantly compared to the control group. Exercise alone caused a significant increase in ZEB-1 gene expression compared to the control group (P<0.05). In diabetic conditions, exercise could significantly decreased the expression of miR-200b (P<0.001) and miR-200b (P<0.05). Histological studies also show the positive effect of exercise in correcting the atherosclerosis process and destroying the tissue structure of the aorta in diabetic conditions.