The Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Caffeine Supplementation on Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor and Glial Line-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread disease disrupting cognitive function. We investigated the effect of eight-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and caffeine supplementation on Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a rat diabetic model. Methods: In this experimental study, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into: control (C), diabetic (D), diabetic+caffeine (D+CA), diabetic+training (D+T) and diabetic+training+caffeine (D+T+CA) groups. Training groups underwent a high-intensity interval training program (۵ sessions a week over ۸ weeks). The supplement groups were administered with ۷mg caffeine/۱۰۰gr body weight for ۵ days a week before each exercise session throughout the experimental period. The rat hippocampus and brainstem were removed ۴۸ h after the last training session and blood samples were taken from left ventricle. The levels of glucose, BDNF and GDNF were measured by ELISA assay. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA test. Results: Streptozotocin-induced diabetes increased blood glucose (p <۰.۰۱) whereas decreased BDNF and GDNF levels (P=۰.۰۰۲). The results showed that HIIT decreased blood glucose (P=۰.۰۰۲) but increased BDNF and GDNF levels in diabetic rats (P=۰.۰۰۳ and P=۰.۰۰۱, respectively). Even though caffeine supplementation significantly reduced blood glucose concentration (P=۰.۰۰۰۱), it had no significant effect on BDNF and GDNF levels in diabetic rats (P>۰.۰۵). We also observed a significant interaction between treatments regarding GDNF changes (P=۰.۰۲۴); yet, the interaction between caffeine and HIIT on BDNF did not reach the significance level (P=۰.۰۷۴). Conclusion: Based on the findings, HIIT increased BDNF and GDNF levels in rat diabetic model, but caffeine ingestion had no significant effect on neurotrophic factors. However, caffeine seems to blunt HIIT-induced increase in neurotrophic factors which remains to be further investigated.

Keywords:

High , intensity interval training Caffeine Neurotrophins Diabetes mellitus