Periodized exercise performed in aquatic or dry land environments improves circulating reactive species and 8-isoprostane levels without any impact on total antioxidant capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Aims The aim was to compare the impact of acute exercise and periodized training performed in aquatic and dry land environments on oxidative status, evaluating reactive species levels, macromolecules damage and antioxidant defense systems in diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) patients. Methods Twelve weeks of individualized exercise including walking or running in a swimming pool (aquatic group) or in a track (dry land group) were performed. Blood samples were collected before and after the first and last exercise sessions. Reactive species content, lipid peroxidation (8-isoprostane and water-soluble fluorescent substances), and protein oxidative damage were quantified in plasma, while total antioxidant potential and antioxidant enzyme activities, specifically superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, were evaluated in erythrocytes. Results Periodized aerobic exercise performed in both environments acutely reduced reactive species and 8-isoprostane levels in sedentary conditions (after first session) and after 12 weeks of training (after last session) in T2DM patients. In addition, our exercise protocol performed in both environments reduced antioxidant enzymes activities; however total antioxidant capacity was unchanged. Conclusions Our results suggest that periodized training in both aquatic and land environments improves acutely circulating oxidative stress, specifically reactive species and 8-isoprostane levels, without any effect on total antioxidant capacity, in sedentary and trained T2DM patients.