The impact of forced swimming on expression of RANKL and OPG in a type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model.

OBJECTIVE: The importance of swimming in bone metabolism during type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is not well known. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL)/ osteoprotegerin (OPG) system as a critical pathway in bone remodeling may play a role in pathogenesis of T2DM. Hence, we tested this pathway and the possible beneficial effects of swim training on T2DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male rats were assigned to groups (n = 10): control(C), diabetic (D), exercised control (E), and diabetic exercised (DE). One week after the induction of diabetes, animals were subjected to swim. At the end of training, fasting blood sugar, insulin, bone and serum OPG and RANKL levels were measured.

RESULTS: Diabetes significantly increased OPG and decreased RANKL mRNAs and proteins in bone and serum and swim training could reverse these changes to control.

CONCLUSION: Swim training could partially compensate T2DM associated changes of bone and serum OPG/RANKL in rats.