Moderate aerobic exercise increases adiponectin but not pancreatic β-cell function in men with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

Study aim: This study aims to determine the impact of 4 weeks of moderate aerobic exercise on adiponectin and pancreatic β-cell function in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: Twenty-two men with T2DM who participated in this randomized controlled trial were randomly assigned to trial (n = 11) or control (n = 11) groups. The trial group took part in 4 weeks of moderate aerobic exercise consisting of three sessions/ week of 30 min/day. Variables were measured 30 min before the first session and after the last session, including weight, height, body mass index, insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), adiponectin, and HOMA-β. Independent t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, paired t-tests, and Fisher’s exact tests were performed. Results: Twenty men with T2DM in trial group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10) were analyzed. There were significant differences in adiponectin levels between the groups after exercise (p = 0.003) and in the degree of adiponectin changes between groups (p = 0.017). FPG levels between groups was significantly different after exercise (p = 0.018). There was no significant difference in HOMA-β levels between the trial and control groups after 4 weeks of exercise (p = 0.131). No linearity between adiponectin changes and HOMA-β changes was observed. Conclusion: Four weeks of moderate aerobic exercise improved adiponectin and glucose uptake. While adiponectin levels increased, β-cell function did not show a significant change as measured by HOMA-β.