The effect of aerobic exercise with ginger supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in diabetic women

Abstract

Background: Hyperglycemia in diabetes is associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defenses. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with increased insulin resistance (IR), and malonedialdehyde (MDA) production. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise with ginger supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in diabetic women. Methods: Sixty diabetic women with a body mass index (BMI) of 32+4.1 kg/m2 were selected as the available sample. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: 1) aerobic exercise + ginger supplement (n=20), 2) aerobic exercise (n=20), and 3) control group (n=20). Exercised groups performed aerobic exercise for 1h per session, for 8 week, and 3 sessions per week. Subjects of the ginger supplement group received 1 gram of ginger daily, and subjects in the aerobic exercise group received a placebo. Blood sampling was performed before 8 weeks of training, and 24 hours after the last training session. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total oxidant capacity (TAC), glucose and serum insulin were measured. Results: Eight weeks of aerobic exercise without ginger supplementation significantly reduced glucose, insulin resistance (IR) and significantly increased total oxidant capacity (TAC) compared to control group (p<0.05). Also, 8 weeks of aerobic exercise with ginger supplementation significantly reduced glucose, IR, MDA and significantly increased TAC, and SOD compared to control group (p<0.01) and exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise with ginger supplement reduces oxidative stress, and improve antioxidant capacity (TAC) and blood glucose in women with type 2 diabetes.