FNDC5 Gene Expression and Irisin Protein Level of Visceral Fat Tissue after Eight Weeks of Resistance Training in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Background & objectives: Irisin is a novel myokine that encoded by FNDC5 gene and effects on obesity, metabolism and glucose homeostasis through browning of white adipose tissue and thermogenesis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of FNDC5 gene expression and Irisin protein level of visceral fat tissue after eight weeks of resistance training in type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats (8 week old) were used for this study. Diabetes was induced using nicotinamide and streptozotocin . Five days after inducing diabetes, rats with fasting blood glucose levels between 127-600 mg / dl were selected as diabetic subjects. Rats were homogenized according to the body weight and assigned into two groups including control-diabetes (n=9) and resistance training-diabetes (n=9). Training group exercised resistance training for eight weeks (5 days a week). The resistance training protocol consisted of climbing a one-meterhigh ladder, with a weight attached to a tail sleeve. Quantitative Real time RT-PCR and ELISA Kit were used for assessment of expression level of FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein, respectively. Data were analyzed using independent ttest at p≤0.05. Results: Resistance training significantly increased the expression level of FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein in visceral adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic rats. Conclusion: It seems that FNDC5 gene and Irisin protein have an important role in metabolic diseases and can be affected by resistance training. Perhaps the changes in the levels of these metabolic indicators is a potential new target for the treatment of metabolic disorders, such as T2DM (type 2 diabetes).