Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index and Oxidative Stress Following Aerobic Training and Momordica Charantia L. in Men with Type 2 Diabetes

 Liver fibrosis is associated with lifestyle-related diseases, including diabetes. The present study investigated the effect of eight weeks of aerobic training combined with Momordica Charantia L. consumption on Liver fibrosis4- (FIB4-) index and Oxidative Stress in men with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

In the current clinical trial study, 36 men with type 2 diabetes (age: 5.15±53.08 years, weight: 6.53±78.08kg, and BMI: 1.2218±26.22 kg/square meters) were selected from Tehran and were randomly divided into four groups (Control (C), Momordica charantia (MC), Training (T), and Momordica charantia+Training (MCT)). The training groups participated in a progressive aerobic training for eight weeks, three sessions a week (%40 to %70 of the reserved heart rate and for 15 min in the first week to 45 min in the eighth week). The MC and MCT groups were given 2000 mg of MC powders for eight weeks (twice a day before breakfast and dinner). Two days before and after the protocol, blood samples were obtained in fasting state.

The results showed that the levels of FIB-4 and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased significantly in the MCT (P = 0.007) and T (P = 0.002) groups compared with the control group, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P=0.005) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P = 0.000) decreased significantly in the experimental group. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (P = 0.000), and catalase (CAT) (P = 0.001) in the experimental groups increased significantly compared to the C group. The amounts of SOD and GPX in the MCT group were significantly higher compared with those of the T and MC group (p≤0/05).

It seems that T and MC have interactive effects on reducing FIB-4 indice, liver enzymes, and Oxidative Stress in men with T2D.