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

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 (HILT) 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 HILT and control groups. The HIIT group intervention was 6 intervals (4 min) at 85%-90% HRmax separated by 3 min at 45%-50% HRmax 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 HILT (P<.01). In addition, VO2peak 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 VO2peak in patients with type 2 diabetes. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.