Qiu · PeerJ 2025 · systematic review and meta-analysis · n=11 studies (1,111 participants)

The effects of exercise on oxidative stress MDA and SOD in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cited 5 times in the scientific literature.

Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials

Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

PubMed 40860658 · doi:10.7717/peerj.19814 · record verified 2026-08-29

What was done

A systematic review and meta-analysis searched Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP, and CNKI through June 2024 for trials evaluating exercise interventions on oxidative stress markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale (mean score 6.5), evidence quality with GRADEPro, and pooled effect sizes calculated as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

What was found

Across 11 included articles with 1,111 patients, exercise significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA; SMD = -1.29, 95% CI [-1.87, -0.71], P < 0.0001) and significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD; SMD = 0.59, 95% CI [0.17, 1.01], P = 0.006). Subgroup analyses found significant benefits in patients aged >60 years, with aerobic and combined exercise modalities, and with intervention durations >12 weeks.

Why it matters

This review provides quantitative evidence that regular exercise counteracts oxidative stress in T2DM by both reducing lipid peroxidation products and boosting endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels.

Limits

Subgroup and sensitivity analyses failed to resolve sources of statistical heterogeneity for both MDA and SOD. Details on baseline glycemic control, specific exercise intensity, and medication interactions were not reported in the abstract.

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