Progressive resistance training ameliorates deteriorating cardiac autonomic dysfunction, subclinical inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized control trial

Abstract

Background and aimsTo investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) on outcomes of cardiac autonomic control, biomarkers of subclinical inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and angiotensin II in T2DM patients with CAN. MethodsFifty six T2DM patients with CAN were recruited in the present study.After baseline assessment of all outcome variables, patients were randomly allocated into two groups – RT (n = 28) and Control (n = 28). The experimental group underwent 12 weeks of RT and the control group received usual care. RT was performed at an intensity of 65%–75% of 1 RM, 3 times/week for 12 weeks. RT program included 10 exercises of major muscle groups in the body. Cardiac autonomic control parameters, subclinical inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, and serum angiotensin II concentration were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. ResultsParameters of cardiac autonomic control showed significant improvement after RT (p < 0.05). Interleukin-6, interleukin-18 were significantly reduced while endothelial nitric oxide synthase was significantly increased post-RT (p < 0.05). ConclusionsFindings of the present study suggest that RT has the potential to enhance deteriorating cardiac autonomic function in T2DM patients with CAN. RT also seems to have an anti-inflammatory role and it may also play some role in vascular remodeling in these patients. Trial registrationCTRI/2018/04/013321, Registered prospectively on 13th April 2018, Clinical Trial Registry, India.