The Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training and Curcumin on Aplin Levels, Insulin Resistance and Glucose in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Previous studies have shown the positive effect of aerobic exercise and curcumin on diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise with and without curcumin supplementation on apelin levels, insulin resistance, and glucose in rats with type 2 diabetes.

Forty male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 including healthy control, diabetic control, diabetes + curcumin, diabetes + aerobic exercise, diabetes + curcumin + aerobic exercise. After the intervention, the animals were sacrificed based on the name of the group, and the desired variables were measured in the collected plasma samples. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and a P value less than 0.05 was considered as a significant difference.

The results showed that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise increased the levels of apelin (P<0.05) and decreased insulin resistance (P<0.05) and glucose (P<0.05) in the plasma of diabetic rats. The use of curcumin also increased the levels of apelin (P<0.05) and decreased insulin resistance (P<0.05) and glucose (P<0.05) in the plasma of diabetic rats.

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can be a good way to lower blood sugar and to prevent from increasing it in diabetic patients. Also, taking curcumin in the range of health values along with aerobic exercise can affect better on the results.