The Effect of Moderate-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Omega-3 Supplementation on Insulin Resistance in Obese Wistar Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Subject Areas : Role of Genes in Health

Maryam Abdalvand ¹ , Marina Shariti ² , Ferial Savari ³

1 - Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2 - Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
3 - Department of Biology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Received: 2025-07-16 Accepted : 2025-08-27 Published : 2025-12-21

Keywords: Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Moderate-Intensity Intermittent Aerobic Exercise, Omega-3, Insulin Resistance,

Abstract :

Background and Aim: Aerobic exercise and omega-3 supplementation are recognized as effective non-pharmacological interventions for diabetes management. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT) combined with omega-3 supplementation on insulin resistance in obese Wistar rats with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: this experimental study, fifteen three-month-old male Wistar rats (weighing 200–220 g) were randomly assigned to five groups: control (standard diet), diabetes, diabetes + exercise, diabetes + supplement, and diabetes + exercise + supplement. Obesity was induced by a high-fat, high-fructose diet, and type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The exercise protocol consisted of eight weeks of MIIT, and omega-3 supplementation was administered as 100 mg/kg/day of fish oil for six weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results: Induction of diabetes significantly increased fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR levels compared to the control group (P<0.001). The diabetes + supplement group showed a significant reduction in glucose levels and insulin resistance compared to the diabetes group (P<0.05). Moreover, the diabetes + exercise + supplement group demonstrated a significant decrease in fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR levels compared to the diabetes group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that omega-3 supplementation, especially when combined with MIIT, can have beneficial effects on metabolic control in type 2 diabetes.

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