Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (29): 7673-7679.doi: 10.12307/2026.263

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A new perspective on exercise for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: pyroptosis#br#
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Zhao Yanan, Cao Liquan, Tan Sijie   

  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Physical and Health Integration and Health Promotion, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China
  • Received:2025-08-04 Revised:2025-12-08 Online:2026-10-18 Published:2026-03-06
  • Contact: Tan Sijie, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Physical and Health Integration and Health Promotion, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China
  • About author:Zhao Yanan, MS candidate, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Physical and Health Integration and Health Promotion, Tianjin University of Sport, Tianjin 301617, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Key Research and Development Program of China, No. 2020YFC2006704 (to TSJ [project participant]); the Tianjin Social Science Planning Youth Project, No. TJTY16-002Q (to CLQ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pyroptosis, a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death, plays a key role in innate immunity. However, its excessive activation can induce the body's inflammatory response and the development of disease, e.g., pancreatic β-cell pyroptosis is closely associated with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent studies suggest that exercise may may suppress β-cell pyroptosis, thereby offering potential benefits for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying the interplay among β-cell pyroptosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and exercise remain unclear. 
OBJECTIVE: To review a series of ellular pyroptosis pathways and the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic β-cell pyroptosis and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome in the pathophysiological process of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to summarize the effects and potential mechanisms of different exercise modalities in regulating the pyroptosis of pancreatic β-cells and preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus, thereby providing theoretical and practical guidance for the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes mellitus and for the intervention of exercise. 
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in CNKI, VIP, WanFang, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed for relevant literature published from January 2000 to April 2025, to identify high-quality studies investigating exercise-regulated pyroptosis in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Finally, based on clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, 57 high-quality studies were included for comprehensive analysis and summary.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Pyroptosis mediated by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome plays a pivotal role in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus. (2) Various exercise interventions, especially aerobic training, can inhibit the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 pathway, reduce inflammation, and improve β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. (3) Tai Chi and Yijin Jing, as well as along with resistance training and hypoxic conditioning, demonstrate potential regulatory effects. (4) Overall, exercise represents a viable therapeutic strategy for modulating pyroptosis via multiple approaches, thereby providing novel theoretical support and practical direction for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.


Key words: type 2 diabetes mellitus, pancreatic β-cells, pyroptosis, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3, inflammasome, exercise, aerobic training,  resistance training, hypoxia training

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