Objective: Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and impaired glucose regulation, and nonpharmacological interventions such as exercise play a central role in its management. Brown adipose tissue enhances energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity through UCP1-dependent thermogenesis. The peptide TLQP-21 has emerged as a regulator of energy balance and brown adipose tissue function. Examining its interaction with exercise may offer strategies for diabetes management.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, diabetes, exercise, and diabetes-plus-exercise groups. Type 2 diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection. Exercise groups completed progressive aerobic treadmill training five sessions weekly for 12 weeks. Blood and interscapular brown adipose tissue samples were then collected. Vgf and Ucp1 gene expression, TLQP-21 and UCP1 protein levels, metabolic indices, and brown adipose tissue morphology were assessed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the LSD post hoc test at p<0.05.

Results: Vgf mRNA expression did not differ significantly among groups. In contrast, exercise significantly increased TLQP-21 protein in the diabetes-plus-exercise group compared with the diabetes group. Ucp1 expression was also significantly higher in both exercise groups than in nonexercise groups. Histomorphological findings confirmed exercise-induced brown adipose tissue hyperplasia.

Conclusion: Chronic aerobic exercise increases TLQP-21 levels and Ucp1 expression in diabetic rats. Through post-transcriptional regulation of the TLQP-21/UCP1 axis and enhanced brown fat thermogenesis, exercise may improve glucose metabolism and tissue function in type 2 diabetes.