The combination of exercise and ascorbic acid decrease blood glucose level and tend to ameliorate pancreatic islets area on high carbohydrate diet rats

Objective: This study is conducted to determine the protective effects of physical exercise and ascorbic acid on increasing blood glucose (BG) levels and islet pancreatic area in high-carbohydrate (HC) diet rats. Methods: A total of 20 rats were divided into four groups: Control group which was a HC and treatment groups which were HC plus exercise (HCEx), HC plus ascorbic acid (HCAs), and HCEx and ascorbic acid (HCExAs). The duration of treatment was 9 weeks. Swimming to exercise held 6 times a week and ascorbic acid dose was 9 mg. Results: It showed that the smallest body weight was HCEx group. BG difference (before and after treatment = BG diff) had a significant difference (p=0.021) among groups, and the lowest level of BG diff was HCEx group. HCAs had the biggest BG diff. However, there was no significantly difference among groups on islet pancreatic area, but HC group had the largest area. Conclusion: This study suggests that a combination of exercise and ascorbic acid on HC diet subject may regulate BG level compared to the exercise or ascorbic acid alone. However, they do not influence pancreatic islet area.