Improved carotid intima-media thickness-induced high-intensity interval training associated with decreased serum levels of Dkk-1 and sclerostin in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aims: Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a validated surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) and sclerostin modulate wingless signaling, which is involved in atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would improve cIMT and serum Dkk-1 and sclerostin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Seventy-four sedentary patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into HIIT and control groups. The HIIT group intervention was 6 intervals (4 min) at 85%-90% HR_max separated by 3 min at 45%-50% HR_max in 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, cIMT, artery diameter and wall/lm ratio were recorded with high-resolution ultrasound. Serum sclerostin and Dkk-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: cIMT decreased significantly in the HIIT group (0.83 ± 0.17 baseline, 0.71 ± 0.14 follow-up) compared to the control group (0.84 ± 0.20 baseline, 0.85 ± 0.19 follow-up) (P < .05). Dkk-1 and sclerostin decreased significantly after 12 weeks of HIIT (P < .01). In addition, VO_2peak was increased in the HIIT group than the control group (by 6.2 mL/kg/min) (P < .05). There was a positive correlation between percent changes in cIMT and percent changes in Dkk-1 and sclerostin (both P < .01). Additionally, there were a negative correlation between percent changes VO2peak and cIMT (r = - 0.740, P = .003), Dkk-1 (r = - 0.844, P < .001) and sclerostin (r = - 0.575, P = .001) in HIIT group.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that HIIT decreases cIMT, serum levels of Dkk-1 and sclerostin and improves VO_2peak in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Carotid intima-media thickness; Dickkopf-1; High-intensity interval training; Sclerostin; Wingless pathway.