2 The Effect of Endurance Exercise on mTORC1 Marker Pathway in the Soleus Muscle of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Background mTORC1 marker pathway is one of the crucial pathways for the regulation of transcription level and an essential route involved in protein synthesis in skeletal muscles. Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of endurance training on mTORC1 marker pathway in soleus muscle of type 2 diabetic rats. Methods In this experimental study, 16 Sprague-Dawley male rats (Mean±SD weight: 270±20g) were obtained. After induction of diabetes (by streptozotocin administration), the rats were randomly assigned into two groups: endurance training and control. The exercise training was administered to the experimental group performed 4 days a week for 8 weeks, while the control group did not receive any training program. The study proteins were measured using western blot method. The Independent t-test analyzed the obtained data. Findings A significant change was not observed in the total content of Akt1 proteins, P70S6K1, 4E-BP1, and P70S6K1 phosphorylation content in the experimental group compared to the control group, but the total protein content of mTOR, the phosphorylation form of Akt1 proteins, and 4E-BP1 was significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion Eight weeks of endurance training can activate the Akt1/mTOR/4E-BP1 pathway in the mTORC1. Therefore, with regard to muscle atrophy in type 2 diabetic patients, endurance training can activate the mTORC1 marker pathway to regulate the transcription genes and subsequently, the expression of proteins.