Comparative effects of metformin and varying intensities of exercise on miR-133a expression in diabetic rats: Insights from machine learning analysis

This study investigated the effects of metformin, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) on miR-133a expression in a diabetic rat model. miR-133a, a microRNA associated with skeletal muscle insulin resistance, served as a key indicator of treatment efficacy. Diabetic rats exhibited elevated miR-133a levels compared to healthy controls. Both HIIT and MCT, alone and in combination with metformin, significantly reduced miR-133a expression. Importantly, the combination of HIIT and metformin demonstrated the most potent effect, reducing miR-133a levels more than other treatments. We used the CatBoost algorithm to develop a predictive model for miR-133a expression based on metabolic parameters. The model accurately predicted miR-133a levels using body weight, blood glucose, insulin levels, and cholesterol metrics. The findings suggest a potential clinical strategy combining metformin and exercise, with miR-133a potentially serving as a biomarker for personalized diabetes management.