Effects of aerobic exercise and pomegranate extract on antioxidant markers in women postmenopausal with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise and pomegranate extract on antioxidant markers in women postmenopausal with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The statistical population of this study was the postmenopausal diabetic women of Babol City, North of Iran, who were referred to the Diabetes Association of the city. Among them, 33 subjects were selected randomly and divided into four groups: Control-Water (CW), Control-Pomegranate extract (CPE), Training-Water (TW) and Training-Pomegranate extract (TPE). The experimental group training plan consisted of 6-week aerobic exercise training, three times a week for at least 45 minutes per session. Consumer groups of pomegranate extract drank 150 ml of pomegranate extract every day for 6 weeks. Before and after this interventional study, blood sampling was performed from the brachial vein in a sitting position in a fasting state. The antioxidant markers of GPX, SOD, GSH and TAC were measured in the specimens. Results: The results showed that aerobic exercise training with the consumption of pomegranate extract significantly increased the levels of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, plasma glutathione and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in women with type 2 diabetes compared to the control group (P<0.001). Women with type 2 diabetes in Training-Pomegranate extract groups had the highest levels of the antioxidants. Conclusion: Our finding showed that aerobic exercise training associated with the consumption of pomegranate extract improve the body's antioxidant defense system by increasing the levels of plasma antioxidants.