Glycemic Control by Exercise and Urtica Dioica Supplements in Men With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease in which hyperglycemia is a major symptom, and is associated with numerous vascular and non-vascular complications. People with diabetes use medicinal treatment to exert glycemic control, as well as exercise training and herbal remedies, such as urtica dioica (UD). Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of aerobic training and UD supplementation alone, and in combination, on glycemic control in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted in 2014, in the city of Dezful, Iran. A total of 40 males (aged 30 - 50 years) with T2DM were selected and randomly divided into one of four groups in equal numbers (n = 10): 1 - aerobic training (Ae), 2 - UD supplements (UD), 3 - a combination of aerobic training and UD supplements (Ae + UD), and 4 - a control group. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and 48 hours after the intervention period, following 10 - 12 hours of fasting. A t-test and analysis of variance was used to analyze the changes in the measured parameters, and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (FBS) was observed in the Ae group (-9.50 ± 6.96 mg/dl; P = 0.002), the UD group (-7.60 ± 6.04 mg/dL; P = 0.001), and the Ae + UD group (-18.30 ± 6.63 mg/dL; P < 0.001) after 8 weeks. There was a significant difference in FBS between the three intervention groups and the control group. In addition, a significant difference in FBS (P < 0.05) was shown between the UD and Ae + UD groups. Conclusions: The findings confirmed the positive influence of UD supplements and aerobic training on glycemic control in males with T2DM. When aerobic training was combined with a UD supplement, a greater degree of glycemic control was observed.