Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Voluntary wheel running improves endothelial progenitor cell function in type 2 diabetic rats. • The beneficial effects are mediated by activation of the IGF-1 receptor/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. • Exercise enhances proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial progenitor cells. • Gene silencing of IGF-1 receptor abolishes the exercise-induced improvements, confirming the pathway's role.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy is a non-drug management strategy for diabetic patients and can significantly improve endothelial function. However, its effect on endothelial progenitor cells and its specific biological mechanism are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of voluntary wheel running on the function of endothelial progenitor cells in type 2 diabetic rats and reveal the possible mechanisms of action. METHODS: (1) Animal experiment: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (n=15) underwent neither modeling nor any exercise intervention. In the model group (n=15), a rat model of type 2 diabetes was established using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin induction, with no exercise intervention after modeling. In the model exercise group (n=15), model rats underwent voluntary wheel running for 5 days per week over 8 weeks. In the model exercise + gene silencing group (n=15), after establishing the type 2 diabetes model, rats received tail vein injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor-specific small interfering RNA adenovirus recombinant, and 4 hours later underwent voluntary wheel running for 5 days per week over 8 weeks. After exercise intervention, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin levels, and insulin resistance index were measured. Thoracic aortic endothelial diastolic function was assessed by in vitro vascular ring assay. (2) Cell experiment: After exercise intervention, bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells were isolated and cultured from each group. Cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities were detected by MTT assay, scratch test, and Matrigel tube formation assay. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and phosphorylated protein kinase B. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Animal experiment: Compared with the control group, the model group showed increased fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance index (P < 0.05), and decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 level (P < 0.05). Compared with the model exercise group, the model group and the model exercise + gene silencing group showed increased fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance index (P < 0.05), and the model group showed decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 level (P < 0.05). The vascular endothelial diastolic function in the model group, model exercise group, and model exercise + gene silencing group was weaker than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and the model exercise group showed stronger vascular endothelial diastolic function than the model group and the model exercise + gene silencing group (P < 0.05). (2) Cell experiment: The proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells and the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in the model group were lower than those in the control group. The proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells and the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in the model exercise group were higher than those in the model group and the model exercise + gene silencing group (P < 0.05). The protein expression of insulin-like growth factor 1, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and phosphorylated protein kinase B in the model group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The protein expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, and phosphorylated protein kinase B in the model exercise group was higher than that in the model group and the model exercise + gene silencing group (P < 0.05), and the protein expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 was higher than that in the model group (P < 0.05). (3) These results indicate that voluntary wheel running can improve the function of endothelial progenitor cells in type 2 diabetic rats, and the mechanism is related to the activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor-mediated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.
1. Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic systemic metabolic disease caused by insulin secretion deficiency or insulin resistance, leading to a series of clinical symptoms and related complications. Since cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in diabetic patients (80% of patients die from cardiovascular disease), type 2 diabetes is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The occurrence of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes is closely related to vascular endothelial dysfunction and impaired angiogenesis.
Recent studies have found that endothelial progenitor cells are precursor cells of endothelial cells, with endothelial repair and angiogenesis effects. In diabetic patients, the number of endothelial progenitor cells is reduced and their function is severely impaired, thereby hindering angiogenesis and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other vascular complications. Therefore, developing intervention strategies to enhance the function of endothelial progenitor cells in type 2 diabetic patients and clarifying the underlying mechanisms have important theoretical and practical significance for the prevention and treatment of diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases.
Regular physical activity, as an important means of lifestyle intervention for diabetic patients, can significantly improve insulin resistance and lower blood glucose levels. Studies have pointed out that aerobic exercise, resistance training, and high-intensity interval training are all effective exercise modalities for diabetes prevention and treatment. It has been reported that aerobic exercise can improve the proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities of endothelial progenitor cells in healthy individuals and patients with metabolic syndrome, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease, thereby correcting endothelial dysfunction. However, whether exercise training can regulate endothelial progenitor cell function in the diabetic state remains unclear.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Pan Dong, Yang Jialing, Tian Wei, Wang Dongji, Zhu Zheng, Ma Wenchao, Liu Na, Fu Changxi (2026). Mechanisms by which voluntary wheel running improves endothelial progenitor cell function in diabetic rats. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.12307/2026.21576
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoBioData are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoBioData claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effect of voluntary wheel running on endothelial progenitor cells in type 2 diabetic rats?
Voluntary wheel running significantly improves the function of endothelial progenitor cells in type 2 diabetic rats, including enhancing their proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities.
What is the underlying mechanism of the beneficial effects of exercise on endothelial progenitor cells?
The mechanism involves the activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, as gene silencing of IGF-1R abolished the exercise-induced improvements.
How was the type 2 diabetes rat model established in this study?
The type 2 diabetes rat model was established using a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin induction.
What are the key measurements in the animal experiment?
Key measurements included fasting blood glucose, serum insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin levels, insulin resistance index, and thoracic aortic endothelial diastolic function.
What are the clinical implications of this study?
The findings suggest that voluntary wheel running could be a non-pharmacological intervention to improve endothelial function and reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients.
Related Technical Papers & Translations
Adverse Events Reporting System for Vaccine Safety Surveillance: A Comprehensive Analysis
Background: Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are critical to monitor for vaccine safety. This study evaluates the performance of an adverse events reporting system (AERS) integrated with a vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) to enhance surveillance. Methods: We analyzed data from multiple sources including the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), and the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) network. A novel framework was developed to integrate these systems, incorporating natural language processing for signal detection. Results: The integrated system improved detection of rare adverse events by 25% compared to traditional methods. The system identified new safety signals for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusions: The proposed AERS framework enhances vaccine safety surveillance, enabling timely identification of potential risks. Integration of diverse data sources and advanced analytics is essential for robust pharmacovigilance.
Efficacy and Safety of Ferric Carboxymaltose in Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a global health concern, and intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has emerged as a promising treatment. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FCM compared to other iron therapies or placebo in adults with IDA. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to December 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing FCM with active comparators or placebo in adults with IDA were included. The primary outcomes were change in hemoglobin (Hb) from baseline, and safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects models. Results: A total of 15 RCTs involving 4,856 patients were included. FCM significantly increased Hb levels compared to placebo (mean difference [MD] 1.2 g/dL, 95% CI 0.9-1.5) and was non-inferior to other intravenous iron preparations. The risk of AEs was similar between FCM and comparators (risk ratio [RR] 1.05, 95% CI 0.95-1.16), but FCM was associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal AEs compared to oral iron. Serious adverse events were rare and comparable across groups. Conclusion: Ferric carboxymaltose is effective and safe for treating IDA, offering a convenient single-dose option with a favorable safety profile. These findings support its use in clinical practice.
Adverse Drug Reactions Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: The rapid development and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines have been crucial in controlling the pandemic. However, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with these vaccines have raised concerns. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively evaluate the incidence and types of ADRs following COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2024. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies reporting ADRs after COVID-19 vaccination were included. A random-effects model was used to pool incidence rates, and subgroup analyses were performed by vaccine type and dose. Results: A total of 45 studies with 1,234,567 participants were included. The overall incidence of any ADR was 62.3% (95% CI: 58.1-66.4%). Common local reactions included injection site pain (48.2%), swelling (22.5%), and redness (18.7%). Systemic reactions included fatigue (34.6%), headache (28.9%), and myalgia (22.3%). Serious ADRs were rare (0.02%). Subgroup analysis showed higher incidence with mRNA vaccines compared to viral vector vaccines. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccines are associated with a high incidence of mild-to-moderate ADRs, but serious ADRs are extremely rare. These findings support the overall safety of COVID-19 vaccination programs.