Effects of physical training on the immune system in diabetic rats

AIMS: This study aims to investigate the influence of physical training on the immune system of diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were distributed into Sedentary Control (SC), Trained Control (TC), Sedentary Diabetic (SD) and Trained Diabetic (TD) groups were used. Diabetes was induced by alloxan (32 mg/bw-i.v.). Training protocol consisted of swimming, at 32 ± 1°C, one hour/day, five days/week, supporting an overload equivalent to 5% of the body weight, during four weeks. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed by decapitation and blood samples were collected for glucose, insulin, albumin, hematocrit determinations, total and differential leukocyte counting. Additionally, liver samples for glycogen analyses were obtained. RESULTS: The results were analyzed by one way at a significance level of 5%. Diabetes reduced blood insulin, liver glycogen stores and increased blood glucose and neutrophil count. Physical training restored glycemia, liver glycogen levels, neutrophils and lymphocytes count in diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, physical training was able to improve metabolic and immunological aspects in the experimental diabetic rats.