Regular physical exercise training assists in preventing type 2 diabetes development: focus on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has emerged as one of the main alarms to human health in the 21st century. Pronounced changes in the human environment, behavior and lifestyle have accompanied globalization, which resulted in escalating rates of both obesity and diabetes, already described as diabesity. This pandemic causes deterioration of life quality with high socio-economic costs, particularly due to premature morbidity and mortality. To avoid late complications of type 2 diabetes and related costs, primary prevention and early treatment are therefore necessary. In this context, effective non-pharmacological measures, such as regular physical activity, are imperative to avoid complications, as well as polymedication, which is associated with serious side-effects and drug-to-drug interactions.Our previous work showed, in an animal model of obese type 2 diabetes, the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat, that regular and moderate intensity physical exercise (training) is able, per se, to attenuate insulin resistance and control glycaemia, dyslipidaemia and blood pressure, thus reducing cardiovascular risk, by interfering with the pathophysiological mechanisms at different levels, including oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation, which are key features of diabesity.This paper briefly reviews the wide pathophysiological pathways associated with Type 2 diabetes and then discusses in detail the benefits of training therapy on glycaemic control and on cardiovascular risk profile in Type 2 diabetes, focusing particularly on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Based on the current knowledge, including our own findings using an animal model, it is concluded that regular and moderate intensity physical exercise (training), due to its pleiotropic effects, could replace, or at least reduce, the use of anti-diabetic drugs, as well as of other drugs given for the control of cardiovascular risk factors in obese type 2 diabetic patients, working as a physiological "polypill".

Investigation of Plasma Visfatin Changes in Women with Type 2 Diabetes followed by Endurance, Resistance and Combined Exercise: The Role of Lipid Profile, Glycemic Indices and Insulin Resistance

“…Different studies showed a direct relationship between PVL, obesity and DMT2 [29][30][31][32]. The positive effects of regular aerobic and resistance exercise in DMT2 patients is well established-included improving glycemic control, improving lipid profile indices and decreasing diabetic complications [33][34][35][36][37]. But there are contradictory studies about the effect of exercise on PVL.…”

Exercise modulation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC): towards a molecular signature of healthy aging

“…For example, among adult patients with metabolic syndrome higher levels of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress and lower TAC were demonstrated . A practice of regular exercise in the elderly leads to adaptation to oxidative and nitrosative stresses, decreasing mitochondrial release of free radicals and their reactive species, increasing TAC and cellular antioxidants such as GSH and nitric oxide, which in turn improve endothelial health and reduce systemic inflammation contributing to decreased risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome (Fatouros et al 2004;Maeda et al 2004;Suvorava and Kojda 2007;Seals et al 2009;Gando et al 2010;Newsholme et al 2010;Teixeira-Lemos et al 2011). Thus, regular exercise can afford an excellent maintenance of lower levels of oxidative stress with adequate levels of total antioxidants, promoting healthy aging.…”

Association between Socio-Demographic Factors and Blood Sugar Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Bangladesh

“…Taking too much sugary beverages and lemonade can augment the risk of diabetes [9]. Research finding showed that eating a diet of high calorie, beverages, and refined foods significantly increase the risk of T2DM [10]. In the person with obesity, body fat interacts with insulin and other hormones to influence the development of diabetes.…”