Increased leg blood flow and improved femoral artery shear patterns in metabolic syndrome after a diet and exercise programme

Cycle Training improves vascular function and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy: A randomized controlled trial

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is associated with peripheral arterial disease and endothelial dysfunction. We investigated the effect of exercise training on the measures of superficial femoral artery (SFA) and neuropathic symptoms in patients with DPN. In a randomized-controlled trial, 31 volunteers with established DPN were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. Experimental group performed cycling exercise training (50%-70% of heart rate reserve, 30-45 min, 3 sessions/week) over 12 weeks. Before and 48 h after the experimental period a 5-min flow mediated dilation (FMD) response in SFA using Color Doppler Ultrasonography, fasting glucose level, HbA1c and neuropathic score were assessed. FMD% significantly increased in the experimental group (from 3.2 ± 1.1% to 5.7 ± 1.2%) compared to the control condition (P = 0.0001). However, no significant alteration occurred in baseline membrane diameter and intima media thickness (P > 0.05). We also observed a significant improvement in fasting glucose, HbA1c and Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS) following exercise intervention (all P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that the change in MDNS was significantly associated with the change in HbA1c (R Square = 0.34, standardized coefficients Beta = -0.58, P = .001) and FMD (R Square = 0.37, standardized coefficients Beta = 0.61, P = .001). This finding may be clinically of considerable importance as metabolic and vascular factors have been indicated to be involved in the development of DPN.

LIPID PROFILE, FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND ANKLE-BRACHIAL INDEX IN ACTIVE OLDER ADULTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Regular physical activity prevents cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and atherosclerosis, in addition to improving lipid levels and functional capacity in older adults. Objective: To evaluate and compare the lipid levels, functional performance and ankle brachial index (ABI) of sedentary and active older adults. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study with 84 elderly (≥60 years) male and female subjects, divided into two groups: sedentary group (SG, n = 50) and active group (AG, n = 34) according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric and hemodynamic assessments, ankle brachial index (ABI) calculations, and functionality tests (Short Physical Performance Battery - SPPB and 6-minute walking test - 6MWT) were performed. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was also used, and we conducted the Student's-t and Mann-Whitney tests for the intergroup comparison. For the categorical data, we used Fisher's exact test (p <0.05). Results: Higher values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (p = 0.001) and lower triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.007) were found in AG compared to SG. In the ABI evaluation, AG presented better right (p = 0.012), left (p = 0.015) and end (p = 0.004) ABI rates when compared to SG. AG had better results in functional performance in the SPPB evaluation (p = 0.0007) and in the 6MWT with a greater distance covered (p = 0.0027). In the anthropometric measurements, AG had lower body mass index (BMI) (0.041) and a smaller abdominal circumference (WC) (0.029). In terms of the incidence of referred diseases, intergroup results were only different for hypertension (0.029), while AG had a lower incidence of hypertension. Conclusion: Active older adults had better lipid levels, higher ABI levels, better functional performance, lower body mass, a smaller abdominal circumference, and lower incidence of hypertension, in comparison to sedentary subjects. Level of evidence I; High quality prospective study.

Cardiovascular benefits of combined interval training and post-exercise nutrition in type 2 diabetes

AIM

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the combination of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and post-exercise protein supplementation would improve cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with T2D.

METHODS

In a double-blind controlled trial, fifty-three adults with T2D (free of CVD and not on exogenous insulin) were randomized to 12weeks of cardio and resistance-based HIIT (4-10×1min at 90% maximal heart rate) with post-exercise milk, milk-protein, or placebo supplementation, thrice weekly. Before and after, carotid and femoral artery intima media thickness (IMT) and femoral flow profiles were assessed using high-resolution ultrasound. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and resting and maximal heart rate rates were measured.

RESULTS

After 12weeks of HIIT femoral IMT (Pre: 0.84±0.21mm vs. Post: 0.81±0.16mm, p=0.03), carotid-femoral PWV (Pre: 10.1±3.2m/s vs. Post: 8.6±1.8m/s, p<0.01) and resting heart rate (Pre: 70.4±10.8bpm vs. Post: 67.8±8.6 bpm, p=0.01) were all significantly lower. There were no differences between nutrition groups (all significant main effects of time) for all outcomes.

CONCLUSION

HIIT reduces femoral IMT, arterial stiffness and resting heart rate in individuals with T2D. The addition of post-exercise milk or protein to HIIT did not have additive effects for improving cardiovascular outcomes in the present study. Taken together, HIIT alone may be an effective means to reduce the burden of cardiovascular complications in T2D.