The Effect of a Gym- and Home-based Training on Plasma TXNIP Level, Insulin Sensitivity, and Lipid Profile in Hypertensive Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is a possible factor in the relationship between metabolism and cellular redox state and plays a key role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of combined training in the gym and at home on TXNIP plasma level, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profile in men with primary hypertension.

In this randomized controlled trial, forty-six hypertensive men (age 48 ± 9 years, BMI 30 ± 4 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to the gym-based training (GBT: ten weeks, four days/week of moderate-intensity resistance and aerobic training followed by stretching training), home-based training (HBT: the type, duration, and intensity were similar to the GBT), and control groups. Selected blood biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and after ten weeks of training programs.

The plasma levels of TXNIP in the GBT (P = 0.04) and HBT (P = 0.005) groups decreased significantly compared to the control group. Moreover, the levels of plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased and insulin sensitivity increased following GBT compared to the control group (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant difference observed between GBT and HBT (P = 0.47, P = 0.36 and P = 0.14, respectively).

GBT was more effective compared to HBT in positive changes in blood glucose and lipid profile. However, HBT improved some important biochemical parameters and can be an alternative to complementary strategies strategy instead of GBT. Our data manifest that combined training has a positive effect on reducing the protein level, which negatively affects glucose and lipid metabolism in hypertensive men.