Effects of swimming training in hot and cold temperatures combined with cinnamon supplementation on HbA1C levels, TBC1D1, and TBC1D4 in diabetic rats

AIMS: To investigate the effects of eight weeks of cold-water (5 °C) versus warm-water (35–36 °C) swimming training combined with cinnamon supplementation on HbA1c, TBC1D1, and TBC1D4 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one rats (78 diabetic, 13 healthy) were assigned to seven groups (n=13): healthy control (HC), diabetic control (DC), cold-water swim (S5), cold-water swim plus cinnamon (S5+Ci), warm-water swim (S35), warm-water swim plus cinnamon (S35+Ci), and cinnamon only (Ci; 200 mg/kg). One-way ANOVA with Tukey/BONFERRONI post hoc tests evaluated group differences. RESULTS: TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 were higher in DC and S35 than HC (p<0.001). S5+Ci showed the lowest TBC1D1, TBC1D4, HbA1c, and glucose compared with other groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combining cold-water swimming with cinnamon supplementation significantly reduced TBC1D1, TBC1D4, and HbA1c, suggesting improved insulin sensitivity and glycemic control; this approach may serve as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to improve glucose indices.