Significant Decrease in Glycated Hemoglobin, 2h-Post-Load Glucose and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients with Abnormal Body Mass Index after Therapy with Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) on the insulin resistance parameter (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), C-peptide, insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2h-post-loadglucose (2h-PG) and the concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with abnormal body mass index. The study involved 30 patients, including patients with normal body weight (as a control group; group I; n = 14), overweight patients (group II; n = 9) and obese patients (group III; n = 7). Each patient underwent 10 sessions of MLD therapy, 3 times a week for 30 min. In addition, we measured body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and performed body composition analysis as well as biochemical tests before MLD therapy (stage 0′) and after MLD therapy (stage 1′). A statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the concentration of C-peptide, BMI, the amount of visceral adipose tissue (r = 0.87, p = 0.003; r = 0.76, p = 0.003, respectively), and the HOMA-IR index, BMI and the amount of visceral adipose tissue (r = 0.86, p = 0.005; r = 0.84, p = 0.042, respectively), before and after MLD therapy. In overweight patients (group II), a statistically significant (p = 0.041) decrease in the hsCRP level by 2.9 mg/L and a significant (p = 0.050) decrease in the 2h-PG level by 12 mg/dL after the MLD therapy was detected. Moreover, in the group of obese patients (group III), a statistically significant (p = 0.013) decrease in HbA1c level by 0.2% after MLD therapy was demonstrated. Our results indicate that MLD may have a positive effect on selected biochemical parameters, with the most favorable changes in overweight patients. Further studies in a larger number of patients are warranted to confirm our findings, to test in-depth their mechanism, and to investigate clinical benefits of this alternative therapy in patients with abnormal body mass index.

Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on the Concentrations of Selected Adipokines, Cytokines, C-Reactive Protein and Parameters of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Abnormal Body Mass Index: Focus on Markers of Obesity and Insulin Resistance

“…These results are consistent with the results of our previous study [ 32 ], which showed that 10 × 30 min sessions of MLD significantly contributed to a decrease in 2h-PG levels (by 12 mg/dL) in overweight patients. To our knowledge, in the available literature no other studies have analyzed the effect of MLD on the level of 2h-PG in people with abnormal body weight [ 32 ]. Despite different therapeutic techniques being applied, a similar effect on the level of 2h-PG was demonstrated by Xie et al [ 54 ].…”

“…It should be added that in our group of patients from the control group (without MLD intervention), we observed an increase in leptin concentration by 1.3 ng/mL at stage 1′ compared to stage 0′. Based on our own research [ 14 , 32 ] and the available literature [ 68 , 69 , 70 ], we suggest that the use of MLD therapy may improve biochemical parameters, and MLD therapy may be related to the improvement of the lymphatic system’s function.…”

“…The detailed procedures for anthropometric measurement, bioelectrical impedance assessment and blood pressure assessment have been described in detail in our previous publications [ 14 , 32 ].…”

“…Various therapeutic strategies are used to prevent insulin resistance and obesity [ 6 , 14 , 26 , 32 ]. Both we and a few other researchers have shown that MLD can be a beneficial therapy for preventing the development of obesity, improving selected clinical parameters, and thus improving the quality of life of patients with an abnormal body mass index [ 14 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Various therapeutic strategies are used to prevent insulin resistance and obesity [ 6 , 14 , 26 , 32 ]. Both we and a few other researchers have shown that MLD can be a beneficial therapy for preventing the development of obesity, improving selected clinical parameters, and thus improving the quality of life of patients with an abnormal body mass index [ 14 , 32 , 33 ]. The use of MLD can support the flow of nutrients transported by the blood to the tissues, as well as improving the metabolism of adipose tissue and the removal of waste products [ 32 ].…”