Leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction is attenuated by low-intensity exercise training and vitamin C supplementation in diabetic rats

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the effects of vitamin C supplementation and low-intensity exercise training on diabetesinduced endothelial dysfunction. Methods: Male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups control (Con), diabetes (DM) (streptozotocin; 50 mg/kg BW, i.v.), diabetes with supplemented vitamin C (DM+Vit.C; 1 g/L mixed in drinking water), diabetes with low-intensity exercise-trained (DM+Ex; running 5 times/week with 13-15 m/min velocity for 30 minutes) and diabetes with supplemented vitamin C and exercisetrained (DM+Vit.C+Ex) groups. The number of leukocyte-endothelial cell (EC) interactions in mesenteric postcapillary venules was monitored using intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level, an indicator for oxidative stress, was determined by using the thiobarbituric acid reaction. Results: At 24 weeks, the plasma vitamin C level was significantly increased (p