Voluntary wheel running and testosterone replacement increases heart angiogenesis through miR-132 in castrated diabetic rats

Objective Low levels of testosterone in men with diabetes are associated with cardiovascular complications. We investigated the effect of testosterone and voluntary exercise on heart angiogenesis in castrated diabetic rats. Methods Sixty-three diabetic rats were treated with testosterone 2 mg/kg/day or voluntary exercise alone or combination of these two for 6 weeks. At the end of the study, heart tissue samples were collected and used for CD31 detection by immunohistochemical method and determination of miR-132 levels. Results miR-132 levels and CD31 of heart tissue were higher after testosterone administration and in the voluntary exercise group in diabetic rats after 6 weeks. Combination of testosterone and voluntary exercise had synergistic effect on angiogenesis and miR-132 level. In castrated diabetic rats, there were significantly lower levels of miR-132 and CD31 in heart tissue compared to the diabetic group, whereas testosterone and exercise reversed these effects. In addition, testosterone supplementation plus exercise had an additive effect on miR-132 levels and CD31 in castrated diabetic rats. Conclusions It was concluded that castration in rats leads to reduced miR-132 levels and subsequently decreased angiogenesis in diabetes. Testosterone plus voluntary exercise improved angiogenesis possibly through enhancement of miR-132 levels in heart of castrated diabetic rats.