Introduction: Type II diabetes mellitus is associated with many complications. While oxidative stress has a significant role in the incidence of type II diabetes, antioxidative defense is remarkable in the prevention of this disease. The present study investigates the effect of eight weeks of endurance training and cinnamon supplement on antioxidant index and lipid peroxidation as an additional care in females with type II diabetes.

Methodology: This study was conducted on 36 female volunteers with type II diabetes (age: 52.72±2.64 years and BMI: 29.28±2.94). Based on BMI, the participants were divided randomly into four groups including exercise, exercise-cinnamon, cinnamon, and control. Endurance training was performed for eight weeks (three sessions per week) at the intensity of 60-75% of maximum heart rate. The cinnamon supplement was administrated 1.5 g per day for the participants. Two days pre- and post-experiment, fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma levels of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and factorial ANOVA, using SPSS software at the significant level of P < 0.05.

Results: According to the results, the levels of malondialdehyde decreased in the cinnamon and exercise groups. However, the exercise-cinnamon and control groups showed increased levels of malondialdehyde, which were significant only in the control group. Furthermore, the plasma concentration of superoxide dismutase decreased in all groups, which were significant in the cinnamon and exercise groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the post-test.

Conclusion: The findings of the current study showed that separate consumption of cinnamon or exercise can be effective in reducing lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, simultaneous use of cinnamon supplements along with exercise needs further investigations.