The effect of 8 weeks of combined exercises with supplemental consumption of mulberry leaf extract on the serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21, glucose and insulin in elderly men with type 2 diabetes

Introduction and purpose: Fibroblast growth factor 21 is proposed as a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was the effect of 8 weeks of combined exercises along with the consuming of mulberry leaf extract on the serum levels of glucose, insulin and fibroblast growth factor 21, in elderly men with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: In this semi-experimental study, 40 elderly people with diabetes (age: 67.07 ± 1.50) were randomly divided into five groups: control, placebo, exercise and extract + exercise (8 people in each group). 3000 mg of Mulberry leaf extract per day was prescribed. The values of glucose, insulin and FGF-21 were measured before the intervention and 48 hours after the last  exercise session. Paired t-test and analysis of covariance were used at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: A significant decrease in blood glucose and insulin levels and a significant increase in FGF21 levels were observed in the exercise, extract and extract + exercise groups (P<0.05). A significant difference was observed in the levels of glucose (P=0.001), insulin (P=0.003) and FGF21 (P=0.001) between the groups, and these changes are greater in the extract +  exercise group than the  exercise and extract groups. Conclusion: Combined exercises along with the consuming of  Mulberry  leaf extract can improve blood glucose, insulin and FGF21 in the elderly with type 2 diabetes.