Question: 

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been shown to be accompanied by an impairment of the immune status. Physical activity has been shown to improve metabolism but it is unclear whether it may also affect the immune status of T2D patients.

Methodology: 

Immune status were studied in men (n=14, age: 61.0 ± 8.66 years) suffering from non-insulin-dependent T2D undergoing an exercise intervention (2xweek 45 min. cycling, heart frequency at 2 mmol/l lactate). The immune status (FACS) was determined before and after the intervention. An aged matched group of men without type 2 diabetes (n=10, age: 60.3 ± 6.7 years) was studied for comparison.

Results: 

After the endurance exercise, BMI, power load at 2 mmol/l lactate (tested by WHO cycling ergometry) and plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were significantly improved. Metabolic glucose parameters were not influenced by endurance training. In comparison to the control group, granulocytes were increased whereas lymphocytes were decreased in T2D persons due to a decline especially of the T4 lymphocytes, i.e. the T4-naive and the T4 memory cells. Endurance exercise further increased the granulocyte population but did not influence the T4- naive and memory cells. In addition, a significant decrease in the B-lymphocyte population was observed.

Conclusion: 

Endurance exercise restores fat metabolism in men suffering from non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. However, immune status cannot not be improved by physical exercise.