Research in Medicine

Background: Recently the role of apelin in improvement of dislipidemia has been known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of regular exercise-induced apelin on dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetic rats.

Methods: Twenty eight diabetic male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: Non-diabetic (n=9), control diabetic (n=9) and trained diabetic (n=10). Type 2 diabetes was induced by injection of nicotinamide and streptozotocin. The aerobic training program included 8-week running on treadmill progressively for 45 min at a speed of 24 m/min and a 5% grade. After the period of training, plasma level of apelin and lipids (TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TG and FFA) were measured. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for analyzing data and P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: In trained diabetic compared with control diabetic group, a significant increase in apelin, a significant decrease in plasma level of LDL-C, VLDL-C and TG, an insignificant decrease in TC and FFA, insignificant increase in HDL-C were observed.

Conclusion: Results of present study showed that increase in plasma level of apelin following regular exercise by inhibition of lipolysis and decrease of blood lipids can improve dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetic rats.