Exercise training increases glucose transporter protein GLUT‐4 in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats

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Abstract
The present study examined the level of GLUT‐4 glucose transporter protein in gastrocnemius muscles of 36 week old genetically obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats and their lean (Fa/‐) littermates, and in obese Zucker rats following 18 or 30 weeks of treadmill exercise training. Despite skeletal muscle insulin resistance, the level of GLUT‐4 glucose transporter protein was similar in lean and obese Zucker rats. In contrast, exercise training increased GLUT‐4 protein levels by 1.7 and 2.3 fold above sedentary obese rats. These findings suggest endurance training stimulates expression of skeletal muscle GLUT‐4 protein which may be responsible for the previously observed increase in insulin sensitivity with training.