The Effect of Regular Aerobic Training on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) in Males With Type II Diabetes

Abstract

Background A growing body of literature suggests that systemic inflammation is associated with obesity, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three months of aerobic training on serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), as an inflammatory cytokine, in males with type II diabetes. Patients and Methods Twenty-four adult obese males aged 38 to 48 years and Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 36 kg/m 2 with type II diabetes were randomly divided to exercise (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The exercise group completed an aerobic training program (for three months, three times/week) and the control group did not participate in the exercise program. Fasting serum TNF-α and all anthropometrical markers were measured before and after the training program. Data was analyzed by independent-paired sample T test. Results Exercise training resulted in a significant increase in body weight (P < 0.001), body fat percentage (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001) and abdominal circumference (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in serum TNF-a before-compared to after-training program (P = 0.83). Conclusions Based on these data, we conclude that the aerobic training program does not have an anti-inflammatory property with emphasis on serum TNF-α in type II diabetic patients.