Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem worldwide and it may also play a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of regular aerobic exercise on plasma levels of 25- hydroxy vitamin D and insulin resistance in hypertensive postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Twenty sedentary postmenopausal women with T2DM were randomly assigned to control and exercise groups (n=10). Training program consisted of 25-40 minutes of aerobic exercise at 50-70 percent of maximal heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. The levels of 25-(OH) D and fasting glucose and insulin was evaluated by radioimmunoassay and enzymatic colorimetric and ELIZA method, respectively. Insulin resistance was calculated with the HOMA-IR equation. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t tests. The level of statistical significance was set at p˂0.05.

Results: After 8 weeks exercise training, a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance was seen which was accompanied by markedly increase of 25-(OH)D in hypertensive postmenopausal women with T2DM (p˂0.05).

Conclusion: Regular aerobic exercise can erduce the resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with T2DM and this protective effect of exercise may be related to improved vitamin D deficiency.