Advanced Techniques in Biology & Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Role of Corticosterone and Expression of 11ß-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 in Liver on Post-Exercise Hyperglycemia in the Obese Diabetic Mouse

Tom L Broderick

Exercise training is recommended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus for the benefits on blood glucose control, obesity, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Exercise decreases adipose tissue content and fasting blood glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity. The diet-induced or spontaneous insulin-resistant obese and diabetic rat models to study the effects of exercise training have been widely used because of the favorable outcome on glucose homeostasis. However, the effects of exercise on overall glucose control in the db/db mouse of diabetes remain unclear. The db/db mouse resembles the human condition of type 2 diabetes mellitus and is characterized by hyperleptinemia, hyperglycemia and obesity resulting from a mutation in the leptin receptor gene. The db/db mouse exhibits hypercorticosteronemia, which is also reflective of the human condition. Depending on the exercise training regimen, glucose metabolism is either slightly improved or is further compromised. In this communication, the effects of voluntary and forced treadmill exercise running on glucose control in the db/db mouse are mentioned. In addition, the effects of acute exercise on glucose homeostasis are discussed, along with potential mechanisms explaining the post-exercise hyperglycemia seen in the db/db mouse.