The Effect of Resistance Training on Serum Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone, Estradiol and Erectile Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Men

Introduction: Diabetes through sex hormone deficiency can cause erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetic men, however, resistance training can improve diabetes by reducing complications of this disorder. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on serum levels of dihydropyronestrone, estradiol and erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetic men. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 24 men with type 2 diabetes with a mean weight of 77.1±3.5 kg and BMI of 26.13±3.3 kg/m2 were randomly selected. They were randomly divided into two groups Diabetics were divided into control exercises and diabetic control. The diabetic group performed 8 weeks of resistance training with resistance training. Serum levels of dihydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, erectile dysfunction and other dependent variables were measured 48 h before and after the training period. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis (ANCOVA) (P = 0.05). Results: Resistance training in diabetic group resistance training significantly decreased insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) compared to diabetic control group (P = 0.010). Resistance training also significantly decreased serum estradiol levels (P = 0.040) and significantly increased serum levels of dihydroepiandrosterone (P = 0.030) in diabetic group resistance training compared to diabetic control group. Resistance training also increased erectile function in the areas of erectile function (P = 0.019), marital satisfaction (P = 0.012) and total scores (P = 0.002) in diabetic group resistance training compared to diabetic control group. Conclusions: Overall, based on our findings, it seems that resistance training reduces serum estradiol levels and increases serum levels of dihydropyronestrone in improving erectile function in type 2 diabetic patients. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Resistance training, Dihydroepiandrosterone, Estradiol, Erectile function.