Aerobic exercises alleviate symptoms of fatigue related to inflammatory cytokines in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Shehab M Abd El-Kader, Osama H Al-Jiffri, Fadwa M Al-Shreef

Abstract

Background: Non-insulin dependent diabetic patients frequently suffer from fatigue symptoms that result from chronic systemic inflammation. Aerobic exercise was proved to modulate systemic inflammation.

Objective: This study was an attempt to measure the impact of aerobic exercises on fatigue symptoms related to systemic inflammation in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Eighty obese patients with type 2 diabetes participated in the present study, their age ranged from 40- 58 years and their BMI ranged from 31-36 kg/m² and were assigned to two subgroups; group (A) received aerobic exercise training for 12 weeks and group (B) received no exercise training for 3 months. Measurements of fatigue symptoms and markers of systemic inflammation were assessed before and at the end of the study for all participants in both groups.

Results: The mean values of inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) was significantly decreased in group (A), while changes were not significant in group (B). Moreover, there were significant differences between mean levels of the investigated parameters in group (A) and group (B) at the end of the study.

Conclusion: Treadmill walking exercise training is an effective treatment policy to improve symptoms of fatigue related to inflammatory cytokines in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise, inflammatory cytokines, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatigue syndrome.