Evaluation of exercise (swimming) with moderate intensity on oxidative stress, sex hormonal status and pancreatic proliferation of pregnant diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disorder caused by the lack of insulin synthesis by beta (²)cells or the pancreatic defect in insulin receptors on target cells. Several in vivo models provide evidence that the adult pancreas is capable to present regeneration, and this is particularly observed in experimental conditions. Currently, there is evidence that the diabetes and pregnancy association leads to increased oxidative stress and changes in levels of female sex hormones. In order to control these changes, the physical exercise associated with diet has become the first step on diabetes and pregnancy. However, there is ausence of scientific evidence linking the effect of physical activity during pregnancy in relation to markers of oxidative stress and female sex hormones, which is necessary to perform the indication of this safe practice for pregnant women. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the oxidative stress markers, sex hormones and pancreatic proliferation in rats with diabetes undergoing physical exercise (swimming) with moderate intensity during pregnancy. Female Wistar rats will be used. Mild diabetes will be induced in newborns (NB) females at first day of life (100 mg streptozotocin/kg body weight). To compose the non-diabetic group (control), offspring will receive the vehicle (citrate buffer) in volume and period similar to the diabetic group. In adulthood, the rats of the different groups will be anesthetized to collect blood samples for glucose determination, markers of oxidative stress and sex hormones. Then, all animals will mate with males nondiabetic. After pregnancy confirmation, the rats will be distributed into four groups: sedentary control, control exercised, sedentary diabetic and diabetic exercised. The animals of exercised groups will be submitted to moderate swimming practice during pregnancy. At day 18.5 of pregnancy, rats are anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50mg/kg) and killed for analysis of reproductive performance, oxidative stress markers, determination of sex hormones and immunohistochemical analysis of maternal pancreas. (AU)