Effects and Mechanisms of Bitter Gourd Polysaccharide Combined with Aerobic Exercise on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose To investigate the effects and mechanisms of bitter gourd polysaccharide (BGP) combined with aerobic exercise (AE) on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods T2DM rats were randomly divided into a model group, AE group, BGP group, BGP combined with AE group (combined group), and a normal group. Rats in BGP group and combined group received oral administration of 200 mg/kg BGP, while rats in AE group and combined group underwent aerobic exercise training. The intervention period lasted for eight weeks.

Results Compared to the model group, the AE group, BGP group and combined group of rats showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (P<0.05); however, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85 (PI3Kp85) in skeletal muscle tissue and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) levels showed a significant increase (P<0.05). Compared to the AE group and BGP group, the combined group showed a further significant decrease in FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, serum LDL-C, TC, TG, MDA, CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 (P<0.05); additionally, the levels of serum HDL-C, GSH-Px, SOD, and PI3Kp85 and p-Akt in skeletal muscle tissue were further significantly increased (P<0.05).

Conclusion The combination of BGP and AE is found to improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in rats with T2DM. The underlying mechanisms involve antioxidant effects, inhibition of inflammatory response and regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.