Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of treadmill exercise
training program on nitric oxide (one of endothelial function) in patients with type 2
diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Methods: Thirty type 2 non-smoker diabetic patients
selected from the outpatient diabetes clinic of Kasr El Aini hospital. Another thirty
age and sex matched non-diabetic healthy control subjects were included in this
study. The patients were medically controlled. They were not participating in any
form of physical activity and any dietary changes throughout the study. Nitric oxide
was measured for the patients and the control subjects at the beginning and at the end
of the study. The diabetic patients were divided into two equal groups: Group-I:
Fifteen patients practiced moderate treadmill exercise for 40 minutes per session
three times weekly for 8 weeks in addition to the oral hypoglycemic drugs. Group-II:
Fifteen patients received only the oral hypoglycemic drugs. Results: There was
significant reduction in nitric oxide level in diabetic patients (15.59+1.52) than
control subjects (23.3+1.99) (P = 0.000). The nitric oxide levels were negatively
correlated to the blood glucose levels (fasting & PPBG) in diabeticpatients (r= –0.57
& -0.49; P = 0.008 & 0.01 respectively). Nitric oxide significantly increased after
treadmill exercise ingroup-I (22.08 +1.8), (P = 0.000)and its mean value approach
that of the control (P= 0.052). There was non- significant change in nitric oxide levels
in group-II at the end of the study (15.35 +1.68) (P = 0.797). Conclusion: Treadmill
exercise training program with moderateintensity in addition to the oral
hypoglycemic drugs increase production ofnitric oxide (improves endothelial
function) in type 2 diabetic patients so it was recommended to be applied for those
patients.