Effect of 8 weeks Aerobic Training and Nigella Supplement on Insulin Resistance, Lipid Profile and Plasma Level of HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Metabolic syndrome is defined as a cluster of metabolic disorders, which may lead to type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic training and Nigella sativa supplements on insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and plasma levels of HbA1c in Type 2 diabetic rats.
35 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The training program included 8 weeks of aerobic training on a treadmill. The supplement group consumed N. Sativa supplement at the end of each training session at the dose of 400mg/kg/day. After 8 weeks of aerobic training and N.Sativa consumption, the plasma levels of HbA1C, insulin resistance and lipid profiles were measured.
The results showed that blood glucose level in all three groups was significantly lower than the baseline (P=0.0001). Cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL showed the most significant decrease in aerobic and combination training groups (P=0.0001). In HDL index, aerobic and combined exercise groups showed a significant increase (P=0.0001). Hemoglobin A1c index and insulin resistance in the combination group showed a significant decrease compared to the other groups (P=0.0001).
The results show that exercise along with N. Sativa supplement is more effective than N. sativa supplement or exercise alone in the status of rats with type 2 diabetes. This kind of combination therapy may also be applicable to diabetic patients.