Effects of Resistance Training Combined with Green Tea Treatment on Hyperglycemia and Lipid Profile in Diabetic Rats

Background: Physical exercise and herbal treatment with antioxidant property induce a favorable effect on glucose metabolism in diabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training combined with green tea extract consumption on blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar diabetic rats aged 5 months and weights 290 ± 20 were divided into 4 groups named as: resistance training, resistance training + green tea, green tea and control. The resistance training and resistance training + green tea groups engaged in exercise for 5 weeks with three times per week moving up the ladder with weight hanging their tail. Green tea extract (100 mg/kg) was gavaged once a day for 5 weeks. Forty eight hours after the last training session and green tea gavages, the fasting blood samples was collected for determination of blood glucose, cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride levels. Fasting blood glucose level significantly decreased in all three groups compared with control group, where as triglyceride, cholesterol and LDL-C level significantly decrease in resistance training + green tea group compared to control group. Conclusion: Green tea extract and resistance training improve hyperglycemia and in combination improve lipid profile in diabetic rats.