Abstract

Background: The adipocytokine visfatin is secreted by the adipose tissue and is associated with plasma glucose level and can affect diabetes. Furthermore, aloe vera is used in traditional medicine as an anti-diabetic drug. The current study aimed to determine the effects of swimming along with taking aloe vera extract on visfatin serum level, glucose level, and the ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoproteins in diabetic male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 diabetic male rats were chosen and placed in four groups of 1) control, 2) swimming, 3) aloe vera extract and 4) swimming along with aloe vera. The swimming program began with 6 minutes in the first week and increased to 36 minutes in the sixth week. Groups 3 and 4 received 300 mg/kg of aloe vera extract per day. Control group didn’t performe any regular exercise and also didn’t receive any extract. Data were analyzed by using ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test.

Results: In all the three groups (swimming group, extract group and swimming along with extract group), there was a significant reduction in blood glucose, ratio of triglycerides to high density lipoproteins and the visfatin level compared to the control group (p≤0.05).

Conclusion: Results indicated that swimming together with aloe vera extract reduce the ratio of triglycerides to high density lipoproteins and glucose and increase visfatin receptors' sensitivity, and thus reduce visfatin serum levels in diabetic male rats.