Alireza Mehdizadeh, Saba Hamzezadeh and Asghar Tofighi
Background and purpose: Visfatin is one of insulin-like proteins secreted by adipose tissue associated with obesity and insulin resistance, but the effect of exercise on the levels of this hormone is unclear, despite various studies in this area. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic, resistance and combined exercises (strength-aerobic) on visfatin changes, glycemic and lipid parameters and evaluation of relationship between visfatin and insulin resistance in women with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2). The recent study differs with other studies in terms of exercise type, sample size, type of subjects and results. Materials and Methods: Forty women with DMT2 were selected by purposive sampling method based on availability then randomly divided into four equal groups; three patient (training) groups including aerobic exercise group (20-50 min/day, with an intensity of 60 to 80% of maximum heart rate), resistance group (3 sets, 10 reps, with an intensity of 50 to 65% of one repetition maximum), combined group (with the same intensity and duration of exercises in aerobic and resistance groups) and no-training group as control group. All patient groups participated in 12-week training program for three sessions per week. Fasting blood samples were collected to evaluate of plasma visfatin levels, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol (Cho), triglycerides, HDL and LDL. To calculate the insulin resistance index HOMA-IR equation was used. Data analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA, Kolmogorov- Smirnov test, Levene’s test, multiple linear regressions and post hoc Tukey test. Results: Data analysis showed that the weight index was decreased in aerobic group compared with resistance group. Body fat percentage in combined group was significantly lower than aerobic group and also in aerobic group as compared with control and resistance groups. Waist-to-hip ratio was decreased in aerobic group than combined group. Markers of insulin and insulin resistance reduced in resistance group compared with aerobic and combined groups. LDL index were significantly lower in combined group compared with the resistance and also Cho in resistance group as compared with aerobic and combined groups. There were no significant differences between mean changes of Hb A1c and mean visfatin changes in 4 groups. Conclusions: Even though in the present study; no significant differences were observed in mean changes of Hb A1c and PVL among groups, but each type of exercises had a positive impact on certain parameters in experimental groups. Longitudinal studies with more participants are needed for evaluation of relationship between visfatin and insulin resistance in women with DMT2.