Effect of Saffron Extract and Aerobic Exercises on Troponin T and Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Objective: Exercise and nutrition as life style modification strategies for the prevention and control of diabetes are considered. The aim of present study was to assess the effects of saffron consumption and aerobic exercises on serum levels of Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (HFABP) and Troponin T in type2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research. Therefore, 24 T2DM men were selected and randomly divided in four groups (1. control, 2. saffronextract, 3. aerobic exercises, 4. compound aerobic exercisesand saffronextract).Saffronextract with 100 mg/daywas used. Aerobic exercises, three days a week, for eight weeks,with 55-70% of maximum heart ratewere performed. At the end, levels ofHFABP) and Troponin Twere measured. Data were analyzed by Paired T-test, One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The serum Troponin T increased significantly in saffron extract, aerobic exercises and compound saffron extract -aerobic exercises in T2DM men(P-value:0.024, P-value: 0.013, P-value:0.005 respectively). Saffron extract consumption (100 mg/day) and aerobic exercises did not significantly influence the serum HFABP (P-value: 0.365, P-value: 0.188 respectively). But serum HFABP decreased significantly in compound saffron extract -aerobic exercises group (P-value: 0.003). Conclusion: Raised cardiac Troponin T and HFABPconcentration are accepted as the standard biochemical markers for the diagnosis of cardiac injury. Saffron intake maybeneficially protect the myocardium from injuries. Compound saffron extract -aerobic exercises can decrease levels of Troponin T and HFABP in T2DM men.