Long‐term wheel‐running prevents reduction of grip strength in type 2 diabetic rats

Diabetic skeletal muscles show reduced contractile force and increased fatigability. Hands are a target for several diabetes‐induced complications. Therefore, reduced handgrip strength often occurs as a consequence of diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine whether long‐term exercise can prevent reduction of grip strength in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model OLETF rats, and to explore the mechanisms underlying diabetes‐induced grip strength reduction. Ten 5‐week‐old OLETF rats were used as experimental animals, and five non‐diabetic LETO rats as controls of OLETF rats. Half OLETF rats performed daily voluntary wheel‐running for 17 months (OLETF + EXE), and the rest of OLETF and LETO rats were sedentary. Grip strength was higher in OLETF + EXE and LETO groups than in OLETF group. OLETF group with hyperglycemia showed an increase in HbA1c, serum TNF‐α, and muscle SERCA activity, but a decrease in circulating insulin. Each fiber area, total fiber area, and % total fiber area in type IIb fibers of extensor digitorum longus muscles were larger in OLETF + EXE and LETO groups than in OLETF group. There was a positive correlation between grip strength and the above three parameters concerning type IIb fiber area. Therefore, type IIb fiber atrophy may be the major direct cause of grip strength reduction in OLETF group, although there seems multiple etiological mechanisms. Long‐term wheel‐running may have blocked the diabetes‐induced reduction of grip strength by preventing type IIb fiber atrophy. Regular exercise may be a potent modality for preventing not only the progression of diabetes but muscle dysfunction in T2DM patients.