INTRODUCTION:
Aerobic training programs have shown good control of cardiovascular risk variables in diabetic subjects, but the effects on homocysteine levels remains unclear. Objective: To analyze the effects of aerobic training on plasma homocysteine levels and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.
METHODS:
The study included 15 women with type 2 diabetes, mean age 68.86 ± 11.2 years. All individuals in the sample underwent an evaluation test of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) according to Bruce protocol, evaluation of blood pressure and anthropometric measurements. Additionally, a sample of venous blood (10ml from cubital vein) was drawn from subjects fasted for at least 12 hours. The plasma was separated and processed for further analysis of homocysteine concentration (mmol/l), total cholesterol (mg/dl), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (mg/dl), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (mg/dl), high density lipoprotein (HDL) (mg/dl), triglycerides (mg/dl) and blood glucose (mg/dl). The tests were done before the aerobic training and repeated 16 weeks later. The program consisted of 2 non-consecutive training sessions of 75 minutes a week, between 60% and 70% of maximum heart rate.
RESULTS:
The observed results show that physical exercise program induced a non-significant decrease in plasma concentration of homocysteine. Were also identified improvements in lipid profile and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), decreased blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure, body fat percentage and body fat.
CONCLUSION:
The aerobic training program reduced cardiovascular risk factor in individuals with type 2 diabetes, although homocysteine decline was not significant.
diabetes mellitus; atherosclerosis; exercise