Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Acute Effects of Strength Exercise on Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Adults
Published on: December 1, 2023
Exercise training lowers plasma visfatin concentrations in patients with type 1 diabetes
Dominik G Haider1, Johannes Pleiner, Mario Francesconi
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Context:
Exercise training exerts beneficial effects on metabolic and vascular risk factors in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). It is unknown whether training also influences concentrations of visfatin, a novel insulin-mimetic adipocytokine.
Objectives:
In this study, we have investigated whether plasma visfatin concentrations are altered by training in patients with T1DM.
Design And Patients:
Fasting plasma visfatin concentrations and metabolic parameters were measured in 18 patients with T1DM who participated in a supervised aerobic exercise program for 4 months. Three subjects discontinued training prematurely after 2 months. Samples were obtained before and during training and 8 months after the end of regular exercise. Fourteen healthy young subjects served as controls.
Results:
At baseline, patients with T1DM had higher visfatin concentrations than controls (64.1 +/- 12.0 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.0 ng/ml, P < 0.01). Exercise reduced visfatin after 2 and 4 months to 27.8 +/- 2.6 (n = 18) and 17.5 +/- 3.4 ng/ml (n = 15), respectively (P < 0.001 for n = 15 subjects who participated in all visits, ANOVA). This effect was maintained 8 months after cessation of training, with visfatin concentrations of 19.7 +/- 5.0 ng/ml (n = 15). Metabolic parameters were not affected by the training program.
Conclusion:
Elevated visfatin concentrations in patients with T1DM can be lowered by regular physical exercise. It is unknown whether glucose tolerance is affected by changes in visfatin concentrations.
Related Concept Videos
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

