Physical Activity as a Modern Intervention in the Fight against Obesity-Related Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the greatest healthcare problems; it requires an appropriate approach to the patient, especially when it concerns pregnant women. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic condition in pregnancy that shares many features with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM and GDM induce oxidative stress, which activates cellular stress signalling. In addition, the risk of diabetes during pregnancy can lead to various complications for the mother and foetus. It has been shown that physical activity is an important tool to not only treat the negative effects of diabetes but also to prevent its progression or even reverse the changes already made by limiting the inflammatory process. Physical activity has a huge impact on the immune status of an individual. Various studies have shown that regular training sessions cause changes in circulating immune cell levels, cytokine activation, production and secretion and changes in microRNA, all of which have a positive effect on the well-being of the diabetic patient, mother and foetus.

Aberrant NK cell profile in gestational diabetes mellitus with fetal growth restriction

“…There is a compelling evidence suggesting that hyperglycemia can lead to immune dysfunction ( 46 ), abnormal ratios of immune cells, altered secretion of cytokines, and an inflammatory state, thereby rendering the patient more susceptible to infection and related comorbidities ( 47 , 48 ). Maternal hyperglycemia may trigger a “glucose stress” response and systemic inflammatory response, including changes in the infiltration, differentiation, and activation of maternal innate and adaptive immune cells ( 49 ).…”

Responses of Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Chronic and Acute Physical Activity in Healthy Individuals

“…Physical activity is widely recognised as a crucial intervention method and element of a healthy lifestyle. Regular PA yields numerous health benefits on multiple levels, including psychological, physiological, and molecular [ 22 , 23 ]. Consistent with this, reductions in PA limit the number of selected populations with stem cell-like characteristics capable of tissue regeneration [ 24 ].…”