Effect of aerobic exercise and saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in obese women with type 2 diabetes

Aerobic exercise combined with saffron supplementation regulates blood glucose in diabetic patients and improves antioxidant defense. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in obese women with type 2 diabetes. In this semi-experimental study forty-two type 2 diabetic obese women with a mean age of (55.3±5.79 years, body fat: 33.37±2.92) were randomly divided into four equal groups (training+supplement, training+placebo, supplements and placebo). training+supplement and training+placebo, group performed 12 aerobic training weeks (3 sessions per week, aerobic exercise with 50-80% maximum heart rate). A daily dose of 200 mg of saffron (once a day) for 12 weeks was used. The placebo contained 200 milligrams of wheat flour. After 12 hours of fasting, blood samples were taken in two stages before and after the blood test. Subsequently, fibrinogen variables were evaluated for homocysteine. Data analysis was performed using one way analysis of variance analysis with LSD and t-test. In within-group comparison results showed a significant reduction in these variables in the post-test phase compared to the pre-test in training+supplement, training+placebo and supplements groups (P=0.001). The results of the inter-group comparison showed that there was a significant difference between the groups training+supplement, training+placebo, supplements with placebo group in these variables (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups of training+placebo and supplements (P≥0/05). Also, among all the research groups, the highest level of significant level was observed in the post-test between the in training+supplement and the placebo group (P = 0.001). The results of this study showed that 12 weeks of aerobic training and oral supplementation of saffron head in a placebo capsule alone have a significant effect on homocysteine and fibrinogen indexes in type 2 diabetic patients. However, saffron supplementation with aerobic exercise has the greatest impact on the control of these indices. We believe that other mechanisms other than the antioxidant effects and in improving and reducing the measured factors in the current study affecting type 2 diabetes in the group receiving saffron heads (training+supplement and supplements,) observed with this new plant compound, which should be in the future To be identified.