The Effect of Endurance Training with Crocin Consumption on the Levels of AMPK and NRF1 Gene Expression in the Soleus Muscles of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background: Exercise training and crocin, as a herbal antioxidant, help improve metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) involve in the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway and diabetes control. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and low intensity continued training (LICT) in combination with crocin consumption on AMPK and NRF1 gene expression in the muscle tissue of diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult rats were divided into eight groups (n = 7), including diabetic (crocin utilization, HIIT, LICT, HIIT with crocin, LICT with crocin, control, sham groups) and healthy control group. The HIIT and LICT groups performed five sessions of training per week for eight weeks, and the crocin consumption groups received 25 mg/kg of crocin daily for eight weeks. Moreover, AMPK and NRF1 genes expression levels were evaluated in different groups using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: According to our results, while induction of diabetes significantly decreased the levels of NRF1 and AMPK gene expression (P ≤ 0.05), training and crocin consumption significantly increased the levels of AMPK and NRF1 gene expression (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: It appears that crocin consumption along with HIIT improves diabetes symptoms through AMPK and NRF1 mechanism in diabetic rats.

Exploring the Relationship between Micronutrients and Athletic Performance: A Comprehensive Scientific Systematic Review of the Literature in Sports Medicine

“…Few studies suggested that antioxidants supplementation may be beneficial under specific circumstances, such as overtraining, high-altitude training, or hypoxic training, and claimed that antioxidant usage such as the intake of vitamin E or vitamin C may have no benefit at all or may even cause harm [ 6 , 7 , 29 , 176 , 256 ]. Misusing or consuming excessive amounts of vitamins can lead to muscle fatigue and impede the recovery process due to the inactivation of the gene expression regulator Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), which plays a role in the response to cellular stress and contributes to enhancing exercise performance [ 265 ]. It is worth noting that Vitamin E toxicity may cause increases in mortality risk factors, since there has been a positive relation accompanied by a high-sensitivity C reactive protein indicative of inflammation [ 266 ].…”

“…Moreover, it is necessary for several other cellular functions, including the development of nucleic acid precursors, myelin, and neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine), as well as antioxidant defense [ 272 ]. A deficiency of this vitamin leads to a decline in oxidative metabolism [ 265 ]. The biochemical outcomes include a failure to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactic acidosis resulting in a greater lactic acid generation, and a reduction in neurotransmitter synthesis (e.g., acetylcholine, glutamate, aspartate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)) [ 6 ].…”

“…The biochemical outcomes include a failure to create adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactic acidosis resulting in a greater lactic acid generation, and a reduction in neurotransmitter synthesis (e.g., acetylcholine, glutamate, aspartate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)) [ 6 ]. The major causes of thiamin deficiency are either the insufficient intake, poor absorption or metabolism, or an increase the body demand [ 265 ]. Furthermore, diuretics and diarrhea lead to thiamine deficiency [ 272 ].…”