Downregulated hs-CRP and MAD, upregulated GSH and TAC, and improved metabolic status following combined exercise and turmeric supplementation: a clinical trial in middle-aged women with hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Aerobic training (AT) and Turmeric Supplementation (TS) are known to exert multiple beneficial effects including metabolic status and Oxidative Stress. To our knowledge, data on the effects of AT and TS on metabolic status and oxidative stress biomarkers related to inflammation in subjects with Hyperlipidemic Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (HT2DM) are scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of AT and TS on metabolic status and oxidative stress biomarkers related to inflammation in subjects with HT2DM. METHODS: This randomized single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 42 subjects with HT2DM, aged 45–60 years old. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups; AT+TS (n = 11), AT+placebo (AT; n = 10), TS (n = 11), and Control+placebo (C; n = 10). The AT program consisted of 60–75% of Maximum heart rate (HRmax), 20–40 min/day, three days/week for eight weeks. The participants in the TS group consumed three 700 mg capsules/day containing turmeric powder for eight weeks. Metabolic status and oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed at baseline and end of treatment. The data were analyzed through paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test at the signification level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: After eight weeks, significant improvements were observed in metabolic status, oxidative stress biomarkers and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the AT+TS, TS, and AT compared to C. Additionally, a significant decrease of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) Z scores (p = 0.001; p = 0.011), hs-CRP (p = 0.028; p = 0.041), Malondialdehyde (MAD) (p = 0.023; p = 0.001), and significantly higher Glutathione (GSH) (p = 0.003; p = 0.001), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) (p = 0.001; p = 0.001) compared to the AT and TS groups. The results also revealed a significant difference in terms of MetS Z scores (p = 0.001), hs-CRP (p = 0.018), MAD (p = 0.011), GSH (p = 0.001) and TAC (p = 0.025) between the AT and TS. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that AT+TS improves metabolic status, oxidative stress biomarkers, and hs-CRP more effectively compared to TS or AT in middle-aged females with T2DM and hyperlipidemia.