Changes in Serum Levels of Retinol Binding Protein 4, Glucose and Insulinin Adaptation to Nettle Supplementation and Combination Training inOverweight Men With Type 2 Diabetes

 Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, and itsincreasing growth has led to numerous health and socioeconomic problems in the community.

 In this quasi-experimental study, 40 men with type 2 diabetes were selected fromthe volunteers based on a nutritional questionnaire, exercise abilities, body mass index, and physicalhealth. They were randomly divided into four groups: exercise, nettle, exercise plus nettle, and control.The resistance training program was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week with an intensity of60% to 70% of a maximum repetition, and aerobic exercise with an intensity of 60% to 80% of maximumheart rate. The dose of nettle was 100 mg per day. Blood sampling was performed before fasting and48 hours after the last training session. Data were analyzed using paired t test and analysis of variance.

After eight weeks of intervention, there was a significant difference in fasting insulin and glucoselevels between the groups (P= 0.001 and P= 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference inthe retinol levels bound to protein 4 between all groups (P= 0.096).

 The results showed that both exercise and nettle interventions reduce fasting insulin and glucoselevels, but reducing retinol levels bound to protein 4, exercise and nettle interventions are needed.