Synergistic Effects of Aerobic Training and Momordica Charantia L. on Serum Lipocalins in Men with Type 2 Diabetes

  Background & objectives: Lipocalin family proteins, have been identified as adipokines associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the metabolic syndrome. Exercise training and active compounds of plants have potency as antidiabetic that can be used for treating T2D. We have evaluated the effect of exercise training and Momordica chianti L. on Retinol binding protein-4(RBP4), Fatty acid binding proteins-4 (FABP4) and Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in Men with T2D. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 36 T2D men in Tehran were selected and randomly divided into four groups (control, M. charantia, training and M. charantia+training). The training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions per week (40% to 70% of the reserved heart rate for 15 to 45 min). The groups of M. charantia and M. charantia+training received 2000 mg of M. charantia for eight weeks (twice a day before breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, blood samples were taken in fasting state. Data were analyzed using Independent t test and ANOVA at p<0.05. Results: The results showed that the RBP4, FABP4 and LCN2 decreased significantly in the experimental groups (p<0.0001). Also, RBP4, FABP4 and LCN2 levels were significantly decreased in  the M. charantia+ training group compared to training and M. charantia groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Aerobic training and M. charantia may decrease inflammation in T2D patients by decreasing lipocalins. Furthermore, aerobic training along with M. charantia had a better effect.