Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2
Faculty of engineering,ShohadayeHoveizeh Campus of Technology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, DashteAzadegan, Iran
3
- Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Metabolic syndrome is recognized as one of the major public health challenges in the 21st century, which is associated with a set of risk factors including abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia (increased triglycerides, decreased HDL), and insulin resistance. Recent studies have focused on the role of biomolecules such as ceramides in causing insulin resistance and metabolic dysregulation. Ceramides, which are part of sphingolipid lipids, play an important role in regulating insulin signaling pathways, inflammation, and apoptosis. In this regard, non-pharmacological strategies such as regular aerobic exercise and supplementation with antioxidants, especially vitamin C, have been proposed as strategies to improve metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the separate and combined effects of aerobic exercise and vitamin C intake on insulin resistance, lipid profile, and serum ceramide levels in men with metabolic syndrome.
Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 40 men with metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into four groups of 10, including the aerobic exercise, the vitamin C supplement, the combination (aerobic exercise with supplement intake), and the control groups. The exercise program included eight weeks of running at an intensity corresponding to 50 to 70 percent of heart rate reserve in three non-consecutive days per week. Vitamin C supplement was also taken daily in the amount of two 500 mg tablets. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before and 48 hours after the final intervention session in a fasting state. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test and analysis of covariance.
Results: After eight weeks of intervention, a significant decrease in the HOMA-IR index was observed in the aerobic exercise groups (p=0.001), vitamin C (p=0.001), and combination group (p=0.001) compared to the control group. The greatest decrease was found in the combination group, which was significantly different than the other two intervention groups (p<0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in lipid indices including significant reductions in triglyceride levels, LDL, and total cholesterol in three intervention groups compared to the control group, wherease HDL was significantly increased in these three groups compared to the control group.. In addition, serum ceramide levels decreased significantly in the aerobic exercise group (p=0.024), combined group (p=0.001) and vitamin C group (p=0.002) in comparisons to the control group, while no significant change was observed in the vitamin C group compared to the aerobic exercise group (p=0.999). The effect of aerobic exercise alone was also significant, though, the combined effect of exercise and vitamin C showed the greatest improvement in lipid profiles and ceramide levels.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study it is concluded that both aerobic exercise and vitamin C consumption are independently effective in improving metabolic indices, though, their combination has a synergistic effect and leads to higher improvements in insulin resistance, lipid profile, and reduction in serum ceramide levels. These findings indicate the high potential of these non-invasive and low-cost interventions in the management of metabolic syndrome and probably prevention of its associated cardiovascular complications.
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