Mots-C
Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c, MT-RNR1, Mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c
An 8-Week study on the effects of high and Moderate-Intensity interval exercises on mitochondrial MOTS-C changes and their relation to metabolic markers in male diabetic sand rats.
Parseh. Sahar S; Shakerian. Saeid S; Reza Tabandeh. Mohammad M; Habibi. Abdolhamid A
Key Findings
- Moderate‑intensity interval training increased MOTS‑C, PGC‑1α, GLUT4, and AMPK levels more than high‑intensity training in diabetic sand rats
- Insulin resistance was reduced more with moderate‑intensity exercise in the diabetic groups
- Both exercise intensity and diabetic status independently affected metabolic protein expression, with a notable interaction effect
- The study confirms that interval exercise can up‑regulate the AMPK‑MOTS‑C pathway, which is linked to better metabolic outcomes
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers and N=1 experimenters, the takeaway is that a moderate‑intensity interval training protocol (e.g., 3‑4 sessions per week of 1‑2 min high‑effort bursts at ~70% VO₂max with equal rest) may be more effective for boosting MOTS‑C and improving insulin sensitivity than very high‑intensity intervals. While the data come from diabetic rodents, they support trying moderate‑intensity HIIT as a safe, potentially metabolic‑enhancing routine before moving to more extreme intensities.
Summary
In diabetic sand rats, doing moderate‑intensity interval workouts for eight weeks boosted the mitochondrial peptide MOTS‑C, as well as other metabolism‑related proteins, more than high‑intensity training, and it lowered insulin resistance. This suggests that, at least in this animal model, a less intense but still interval‑based exercise routine may be better for improving metabolic health.
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a significant feature of type 2 diabetes. MOTS-C, a peptide derived from mitochondria, has positive effects on metabolism and exercise capacity. This study explored the impact of high and moderate-intensity interval exercises on mitochondrial MOTS-C alterations and their correlation with metabolic markers in male diabetic sand rats. Thirty male sand rats were divided into six groups: control, MIIT, DM + HIIT, DM + MIIT, DM, and HIIT (5 rats each). Diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ). The Wistar sand rats in exercise groups underwent 8 weeks of interval training of varying intensities. Post sample collection, protein expressions of PCG-1a, AMPK, and GLUT4 were assessed through Western blot analysis, while MOTS-C protein expression was determined using ELISA. Both exercise intensity and diabetes significantly affected the levels of PCG-1a, MOTS-C, GLUT4 proteins, and insulin resistance (p < 0.001). The combined effect of diabetes status and exercise intensity on these levels was also significant (p < 0.001). However, the diabetes effect varied when comparing high-intensity to moderate-intensity exercise. The moderate-intensity exercise group with diabetes showed higher levels of PCG-1a, MOTS-C, and GLUT4 proteins and reduced insulin resistance levels (p < 0.001). Exercise intensity (p = 0.022) and diabetes (p = 0.008) significantly influenced AMPK protein levels. The interplay between diabetes status and exercise intensity on AMPK protein levels was noteworthy, with the moderate-intensity diabetes group exhibiting higher AMPK levels than the high-intensity diabetes group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, exercise elevates the levels of PCG-1a, MOTS-C, GLUT4, and AMPK proteins, regulating insulin resistance in diabetic sand rats. Given the AMPK-MOTS-C mitochondrial pathway's mechanisms, interval exercises might enhance the metabolic rates and general health of diabetic rodents.
Study Information
pubmed
2024
2024-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111656
61