Introduction: Autophagy is the main pathway of protein circulation by which cellular components are transferred to lysosomes for degradation and recycling. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of eight continuous and interval exercises with atroastetin supplementation on mRNA p62 expression in elderly rats with type 2 diabetes.
Methodology:
63 old male Wistar rats (mean weight 300 to 350 g) categorized into eight groups that included; 1) healthy control group, 2) diabetic control group, 3) diabetic group + continuous exercise, 4) diabetic group + interval exercise, 5) diabetic group + supplement, 6) diabetic group + continuous exercise + supplement, 7) diabetic group + interval exercise + supplement, and 8) saline group. After induction of diabetes to the rats, a continuous and intermittent exercise program was performed, which included running at a speed of 15 to 29 meters per minute for 5 to 22 minutes for continuous aerobic exercise and six 2.5-minute sets with four minutes of rest between each set for interval exercise. Atherostatin supplementation with dose of 20 mg per kg body weight was injected intraperitoneally daily. At the end of the training period, Gastrocnemius and soleus muscle were removed and P62 mRNA was measured using RT-PCR. One-way ANOVA was used for comparison between groups and significance level of 05 0.05 was considered.
Results: The results showed that P62 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in all groups compared to the healthy and diabetic control group (p <0.001), but there was no significant difference between the other groups (p <0.05).
Conclusion: To reduce the rate of autophagy in elderly rats with type 2 diabetes, it is recommended to use continuous aerobic and interval exercise with atroastetin supplementation, which can lead to a decrease in P62 mRNA.

Keywords: Continuous aerobic exercise, Interval exercise, Atophagy, Type 2 diabetes, Atroastetin supplement