INDEPENDENT AND INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS SUPPLEMENTATION AND RESISTANCE TRAINING ON SEXUAL AND ERECTILE FUNCTION IN OBESE MEN WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Diabetes and obesity are associated with a decrease in sexual function and sexual activity due to changes in sex hormones. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Independent and interactive effect of Tribulus terrestris supplementation and resistance training on testosterone, FSH, LH and erectile function in obese men with type 2 diabetes.

In this quasi-experimental study, 40 obese men with type II diabetes (41.97±8.01 years old, BMI 31.97±1.87 kg/m2) were divided into four groups: 1) Resistance training+ placebo  2) Tribulus terrestris 3) Resistance training+Tribulus terrestris 4) Control. Subjects in the first and third groups performed a Resistance training protocol for 8 weeks. Also, the subjects in the second and third groups received Tribulus terrestris 1000 mg daily (two 500 mg capsules) and the first group received the same amount of placebo. Blood samples and questionnaires were collected in two stages before and after the test to assess the biochemical values and erectile function. Statistical analysis of data was performed using t-test, one way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05.

Results showed that erectile, testosterone, FSH and LH values increased significantly in the three groups of resistance training, tribulus terrestris and resistance training+tribulus terrestris (P≤0.05). Also, were observed significant difference in all variables between resistance training+tribulus terrestris group whit resistance training and tribulus terrestris groups (P≤0.05).

It seams that eight weeks of independent Tribulus terrestris Consumption and performing Resistance training increases sexual and erectile function. But it seams, combining these two, causes more sexual and erectile dysfunction in obese men with type 2 diabetes.