ObjectiveTo explore the effects of different exercise methods on serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in type 2 diabetic mice, determine the best exercise method to improve SCFAs in type 2 diabetic mice, and provide a theoretical basis for the preventive intervention for patients with early diabetes.MethodsAccording to different exercise methods, 48 8-week-old male db/db type 2 diabetic mice were randomly divided into four groups, including aerobic exercise group, resistance exercise group, combined resistance- aerobic exercise (referred to as combined exercise) group, and the control group; with 10 mice in each group and another 2 as the substitutes. The mice were fed in the same manner in each group. The control group did not perform exercise intervention, the aerobic exercise group performed weightless running exercise, the resistance exercise group performed tail weight-bearing ladder exercise, and the combined exercise group alternated aerobic exercise and resistance exercise. Blood glucose and body weight were measured before and 8 weeks after the intervention. The content of serum SCFAs in mice was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsA total of 40 mice completed the experiment successfully. Before the exercise intervention, there was no significant difference in blood glucose or weight among the groups (P>0.05). After 8 weeks of exercise intervention, the blood glucose and weight in each exercise group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the blood glucose and weight in the combined exercise group were significantly lower than those in the aerobic exercise group and the resistance exercise group (P<0.05). The contents of SCFA were higher in the aerobic exercise group, resistance exercise group, and combined exercise group than those in the control group (P<0.05); the contents of acetic acid and butyric acid in the combined exercise group were better than those in the aerobic exercise group (P<0.05), and the contents of propanoic acid and valeric acid in the combined exercise group were better than those in the resistance exercise group (P<0.05).ConclusionsDifferent exercise methods can improve the SCFA content in serum of type 2 diabetic mice. Compared with aerobic exercise and resistance exercise, combined exercise has the best effect in improving SCFA.