The Effect of Regular Aerobic Training on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) in Males With Type II Diabetes

Background: A growing body of literature suggests that systemic inflammation is associated with obesity, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three months of aerobic training on serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), as an inflammatory cytokine, in males with type II diabetes. Patients and Methods: Twenty-four adult obese males aged 38 to 48 years and Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 to 36 kg/m 2 with type II diabetes were randomly divided to exercise (n = 12) and control (n = 12) groups. The exercise group completed an aerobic training program (for three months, three times/week) and the control group did not participate in the exercise program. Fasting serum TNF-α and all anthropometrical markers were measured before and after the training program. Data was analyzed by independent-paired sample T test. Results: Exercise training resulted in a significant increase in body weight (P < 0.001), body fat percentage (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001) and abdominal circumference (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in serum TNF-a before-compared to after-training program (P= 0.83). Conclusions: Based on these data, we conclude that the aerobic training program does not have an anti-inflammatory property with emphasis on serum TNF-α in type II diabetic patients.