The Effect of Exercise Training on Chemerin, Vaspin, and Body Composition in Type 2 Diabetics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Omid  Zafarmand; Rahman  Soori

doi:10.18502/ijdl.v25i4.20235

Omid Zafarmand Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, School of Humanities, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran
Rahman Soori Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdl.v25i4.20235

Keywords: Exercise training, Chemerin, Vaspin, Body composition, Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Exercise training represents an effective approach that contributes substantially to lowering chemerin and vaspin levels, enhancing body composition, and preventing complications related to overweight and obesity. In this context, the present study sought to examine the effects of exercise training on chemerin, vaspin, and body composition in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on various outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. A comprehensive search for English and Persian articles published up to )January 4, 2025( was performed across the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, IranDoc, Magiran, Noormags, and SID (Scientific Information Database). Fifteen studies, including 19 exercise interventions and 440 participants with type 2 diabetes, were included. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model, and the mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated through visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger’s test.

Results: A total of 15 studies (with 19 exercise interventions) involving 440 participants with type 2 diabetes were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicated that exercise interventions led to non-significant changes in c-Merlin [SMD= −0.967, 95% CI: −2.453 to 0.518, P= 0.202], body mass index (BMI) [SMD= −0.228, 95% CI: −0.470 to 0.013, P= 0.064], waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) [SMD= −0.038, 95% CI: −0.773 to 0.007, P= 0.054], and body fat percentage [SMD= 0.080, 95% CI: −0.524 to 0.685, P= 0.795] compared with the control group in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that exercise training significantly reduces vaspin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, while it has no significant effect on chemerin, body composition, or body composition indices (including body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio). It appears that physical exercise may play an effective role in improving the metabolic status of patients with type 2 diabetes through the modulation of vaspin levels