The effect of zinc and training on inflammatory factors and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes

Inflammation plays a major role in insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation and combined exercise on the level of some inflammatory factors in men with type 2 diabetes.

In the present quasi-experimental study, 48 men with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: control, supplement, exercise and combination (supplement + exercise). The training protocol included six weeks of training, three sessions per week, and each training session consisted of 60 minutes of combined resistance training and aerobic training. Zinc supplementation was taken daily in a capsule containing 30 mg of sulfate.

The results showed that exercise training significantly reduces inflammatory factors and glycemic index compared to the control group (P <0.05). Supplemental consumption also significantly reduces inflammatory factors without a significant effect on glycemic index compared to the control group (P <0.05).. Changes in IL-1β and insulin resistance were significantly higher in the training and combination groups than in the supplement group (P <0.05). Also, changes in CPR and fasting blood sugar were more in the combination group than in the supplement group (P <0.05). Discussion and

The results showed that both zinc supplementation and exercise interventions reduce the level of inflammation in diabetic patients, but for more effectiveness and improvement of insulin resistance, exercise interventions are needed.