Attenuation of the Muscle Metaboreflex in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate whether the muscle metaboreflex is attenuated in subjects with type 2 diabetes. [Subjects] Ten subjects with type 2 diabetes and 10 age-matched, healthy control subjects participated in the study. [Methods] We compared cardiovascular responses between the diabetic and control subjects during a static handgrip exercise at 30% maximal voluntary contraction, followed by periods of post-exercise ischemia. [Results] During post-exercise ischemia, mean blood pressure and total peripheral resistance were not maintained at significantly higher levels than resting values in the diabetic subjects, whereas they remained elevated in the control subjects. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that the muscle metaboreflex is attenuated in subjects with type 2 diabetes.