the impact of organized exercise and non-organized leisured time activity on serum pentraxin3 and c-reactive protein levels, lipid profile and physical fitness in diabetic children

Background: microvascular changes and precursors of atherosclerosis are frequently observed in young patients with early-onset type 1 diabetes (t1dm). due to their known beneficial effects, physical activity is strongly recommended for its management. objectives: this study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of organized exercise (oe) and non-organized leisure time activity (nolta) on determinants of cardiovascular disease and physical fitness in children with type 1 diabetes. methods: in this quasi-experimental study, 20 children with t1dm were randomly divided into two groups of 10: oe (n = 10, mean age = 12.60 ± 1.34 years) and nolta (n = 10, mean age = 12.40 ± 0.84 years). subjects in both groups participated in their respective activities 3 days per week. blood samples and physiological measurements were taken 48 hours before and after the 8-week training period. results: high-density lipoprotein (hdl) levels and physical fitness factors increased significantly in both exercise groups. fasting blood glucose, c-reactive protein, and the cholesterol/hdl ratio were also significantly reduced in both groups. waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin, and the ldl/hdl ratio were significantly reduced only in the oe group. however, the decrease in the acute phase protein pentraxin 3 was minimal and statistically insignificant. conclusions: in children and adolescents with t1dm, regular exercise—due to its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, lipid profile, and blood glucose levels—may help reduce the severity and likelihood of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.