Interactive effect of saffron aqueous extract and aerobic training on glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde in men with type 2 diabetes

Aims: Type 2 diabetes is a common metabolic disease in the world. Nonpharmaceutical and pharmaceutical strategies have been proposed for the control and treatment of diabetes. Nutrition and exercise are nonpharmaceutical strategies for the prevention and control of diabetes. Heavy acute exercises may increase oxidative stress. Thus, it is necessary to adopt nutritional strategies to help diabetic athletes. Methods: In this semiexperimental research study, 24 men with type 2 diabetes were divided randomly into four groups including saffron extract (SE), aerobic training (AT), aerobic training plus saffron extract (AT+SE), and control groups. The saffron extract was used at a 3 mg/kg dose. Aerobic exercise was performed three days a week, for eight weeks, at 55% to 70% of maximum heart rate. At the end of the intervention period, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured. Data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s, and paired t test. Results: The serum MDA decreased significantly in the SE and AT+SE groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.026, respectively). Saffron extract consumption or aerobic training alone did not significantly influence erythrocyte GPX activity (p = 0.12 and p = 0.14, respectively). However, erythrocyte GPX activity increased significantly in the AT+SE group (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Antioxidant compounds of saffron are effective in the reduction and inhibition of tissue damages after physical activities. Aerobic training plus saffron extract can decrease and increase, respectively, the levels of MDA and erythrocyte GPX activity in men with type 2 diabetes.