Journal of Exercise & Organ Cross Talk

Abstract In Diabetes (Di) exercise training especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduce blood lipids and improve anti-inflammatory status. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of high-intensity interval training on ASC inflammasome, lipid profile, and their correlation in diabetic rat models. Twenty rats were divided into four groups, including a control group, HIIT, Di, and Di+HIIT (n=5 in each group). Diabetes was induced using a combination of a high-fat diet (HFD) and STZ. Wistar rats in the exercise groups were subjected to high-intensity interval training for eight weeks. After sample collection, liver tissue was removed and weighed. Serum levels of lipid profile were measured by special kit. Protein expression of the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC) in liver tissue was determined by Western blot. The results of the present study showed that diabetes induction significantly increased LDL, cholesterol, triglyceride and ASC levels and decreased HDL levels (p<0.05), whereas HIIT exercise training with diabetes somewhat adjusted the lipid profile and decreased the ASC inflammasome levels (p<0.05). In the correlation analysis, only the correlation between ASC and triglycerides was confirmed in the Di+HIIT group (p=0.043, r=0.997). Diabetes induction adversely affects lipid profiles and increases ASC inflammasome levels. However, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) appears to mitigate these effects by improving the lipid profile and reducing ASC levels. Notably, a significant positive correlation between ASC and triglycerides was observed in the diabetic rats undergoing HIIT, suggesting a link between inflammation and lipid metabolism.