Swimming exercise improves SIRT1, NF-κB, and IL-1β protein levels and pancreatic tissue injury in ovariectomized diabetic rats

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of swimming exercise on the SIRT1, NF-κB, IL-1β protein levels, and pancreatic tissue damage in an ovariectomized diabetic rat model based on the anti-inflammatory effect of exercise.

Methods: Forty mature female Wistar rats were purchased and divided into sham (n=10) and OVX (bilateral ovariectomy) (n=30) groups. The ovariectomized rats were divided into 1-OVX, 2-ovariectomized diabetic (OVX.D), 3-OVX.D + exercise (OVX.D. E). After surgical recovery, animals in the diabetic group received a high-fat diet for one month. Swimming exercise (1 h/day) was performed concurrently with the start of the HFD diet for eight weeks. At the end of the high-fat diet, streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. At the end of the second month, pancreatic tissue was collected from the animals after deep anesthesia for molecular evaluation and histology by Western blotting and hematoxylin-eosin, respectively.

Results: Swimming exercise significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines and tissue damage, and this decrease in cytokine expression appears to be associated with SIRT1 expression. The increase in SIRT1 by training was associated with decreased NF-κB-p65 and IL-1β expression and preventing tissue damage. Induction of diabetes in the ovariectomized group (OVX.D) resulted in a significant increase in NF-κB-p65 and IL-1β proteins and a decrease in the expression of SIRT1 compared with the sham group. However, swimming training significantly reversed these effects compared with the OVX.D group.

Conclusions: Increased inflammation of β-cells impairs insulin secretion in estrogen insufficiency. Swimming exercise eliminates inflammation in post-menopausal diabetes and supports the potential to prevent pancreatic activity after menopause.