[Effect of diet control combined with aerobic exercise on the metabolic syndrome]

To observe the efficacy of diet control and aerobic exercises on the patients with metabolic syndrome(MS).

Sixty sedentary patients with MS were randomly divided into a diet control group, an aerobic exercise group, and a diet control combined with aerobic exercise group, each group with 20 persons. Patients in the simple diet control group ate a low-salt, low-cholesterol, low-calorie and high-cellulose diet; patients in the simple aerobic exercises group performed aerobic exercise 30 minutes every time, 3-5 times per week for 12 weeks; while patients in the combination therapy group performed aerobic exercises and diet control. Fasting serum insulin and free fatty acid (FFA) were measured by radio immunity and enzyme-colorimetric method. Serum leptin concentration was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance index was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment equation. Twenty healthy subjects were selected as the control group.

Serum concentration of FFA, blood pressure, and leptin and insulin resistance index (IRI)of patients with MS significantly increased compared with those of the controls. After 12 weeks, IRI and body mass index (BMI)significantly decreased but blood fat and leptin did not change significantly in the diet control group. IRI and BMI significantly decreased, and triglyceride, FFA and leptin also significantly decreased in the combination therapy group.

Simple diet control and aerobic exercises are beneficial for patients with MS. It could significantly improve the effect of diet control combined with aerobic exercises on patients with metabolic syndrome.