effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cell transplantation and six weeks of aerobic exercise on fndc5 and irisin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background and objectives: it has been suggested that irisin and fibronectin type iii domain-containing protein 5 (fndc5) can increase energy expenditure, promote weight loss and improve insulin resistance in diabetic patients by affecting white and brown adipose tissues. in this study, we investigate effect of adipose tissue-derived stem cell transplantation and six weeks of aerobic exercise on fndc5 and irisin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. methods: forty-eight rats (weighing 220-240 g and aged nine weeks) were divided into six groups of control, sham, diabetes control, diabetes + exercise, diabetes + stem cell and diabetes+ exercise + stem cell. the exercise group ran on running wheel at intensity of 60-70% vo2max, five days a week for six weeks. next, 1.56 × 106 stem cells extracted from human adipose tissue were injected into the tail vein of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. finally, fndc5 and irisin plasma levels of the mice were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. results: fndc5 and irisin levels reduced significantly in the diabetes control group (p=0.0001). fndc5 levels in the diabetes + exercise + stem cell and the exercise group increased significantly compared to the diabetes control group (p=0.0001). the irisin level in the diabetes + stem cell + exercise group, exercise group and stem cell group increased significantly compared to the diabetes control group (p=0.0001). conclusion: the results indicate that aerobic exercise program and stem cell therapy alone and combined can significantly increase plasma irisin levels. given the favorable effects of adipose tissue-derived stem cell injection and aerobic exercise on fndc5 and irisin levels, this strategy could be further evaluated in coping with the adverse effects of diabetes on metabolism and aging.