The Effect of Resistance Training and Cannabis Extract Supplementation on the Expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway Genes in the Pancreas of Obese Male Rats

Background and aims: Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and is a major public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of resistance training and cannabis extract supplementation on the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway genes in the pancreas of obese male rats. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (twelve weeks old and weighing 180–200 g) were chosen for examination. The animals were randomly assigned to healthy control, obese control, supplement, exercise, and exercise+supplement groups (n=6 per group). The exercise protocol involved ladder climbing on a custom-built rodent apparatus set at an 80° incline, measuring 110 cm in height with 2 cm-spaced rungs. The supplement, initially in solid form, was dissolved in distilled water and orally administered via gavage at a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight, five times a week for eight weeks. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to assess group differences (P<0.05). Results: Obesity significantly decreased mTOR (P=0.001), PI3K (P=0.001), and AKT (P=0.001) expression. Resistance training significantly increased all three (P=0.001), while cannabis alone elevated PI3K (P=0.006) and AKT (P=0.001) but not mTOR. Combined treatment significantly restored mTOR, PI3K, and AKT levels close to those of healthy controls (P=0.001). Conclusion: The results revealed that obesity reduced the expression of AKT, PI3K, and mTOR in the pancreas of obese rats. However, resistance training and cannabis administration increased their expression levels.