Acute exercise and impaired glucose tolerance in obese humans

BackgroundIndividuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) have a greater risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared with those with normal glycemic control. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acute aerobic exercise on glycemia, regional arterial stiffness, and oxidative stress in obese subjects with IGT.DesignTwelve obese subjects (7 men and 5 women; 48.0 ± 9.4 years; body mass index 32.4 ± 7.0 kg/m2) with IGT participated in a 30-minute bout of walking at 65% of maximum predicted heart rate. Pulse wave velocity (PWV, for determination of arterial stiffness) and blood pressure were examined before and after exercise, whereas venous blood samples were drawn for the determination of glucose, blood lipids, and indices of oxidative stress and inflammation (lipid hydroperoxides; superoxide dismutase; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein).ResultsAfter exercise PWV (9.1 ± 1.2 m/s vs. 8.6 ± 1.0 m/s), glucose (5.7 ± 0.6 mmol·L−1 vs. 5.4 ± 0.6 mmol·L−1), and diastolic blood pressure (94 ± 14 mm Hg vs. 86 ± 13 mm Hg) decreased, respectively (P < .05). A correlation was observed between PWV and glucose (r = 0.544, P < .05). There were no changes in lipid hydroperoxides, superoxide dismutase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or blood lipids (P > .05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that acute aerobic exercise can reduce regional arterial stiffness in obese subjects with IGT by possibly improving glucose metabolism, independent of changes in oxidative stress.