
The Effects of Aerobic and Yoga Training on Serum Levels of F2-isoprostanes and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Amirreza Khamineh Jahromi 1 ℗, Hamed Zamanpoor 2, Negar Norouzi 1, Amir Goli 1, Mohammad Nosrati-Oskouie 3 ©
Abstract
Introduction: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of aerobic and yoga training on oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in obese women with type 2 diabetes (T2D), using serum F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) as biomarkers. Methods and Materials: 28 sedentary obese women with T2D (aged 46–60) were randomly assigned to aerobic (n = 10), yoga (n = 10), and control (no intervention, n = 8) groups and provided written informed consent (IR.UT.SPORT.REC.1403.101). Participants in the intervention arms completed supervised 60-minute sessions thrice weekly for 12 weeks. The aerobic group performed moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercises (progressing from 60% to 70% HRmax), while the yoga group followed a progressively intensified sequence of asanas, pranayama, and meditation. Serum F2-IsoPs and GDF-15 levels were measured pre- and post-intervention using ELISA. Statistical analyses included repeated measures ANOVA, ANCOVA (adjusted for baseline, age, and duration of diabetes), correlation, and responder analysis (≥10% biomarker reduction. Results: No significant time × group interaction or group effect was found for F2-IsoPs or GDF-15. GDF-15 changed significantly over time (p = 0.047), but between-group differences were non-significant (p = 0.781). Responder analysis showed ≥10% GDF-15 reduction in 30% of yoga, 40% of aerobic, and 12.5% of control participants. Baseline F2-IsoP levels strongly predicted post-intervention reduction (r = –0.706, p 0.001). Conclusion and Discussion: Twelve weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic or yoga training did not significantly alter serum F2-IsoP or GDF-15 levels. Longer duration, higher intensity, or combined lifestyle strategies may be required to produce meaningful reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation in obese women with T2D.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, obesity, F2-isoprostanes, GDF-15, yoga, aerobic exercise