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CC BY 4.0 · Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2024; 132(11): 622-630
DOI: 10.1055/a-2406-4491
Article

A Single Sauna Session Does Not Improve Postprandial Blood Glucose Handling in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Over, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Laura Schenaarts
1   Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN385783)
,
Floris K Hendriks
1   Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN385783)
,
Cas J Fuchs
1   Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN385783)
,
Wendy EM Sluijsmans
1   Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN385783)
,
Tim Snijders
1   Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN385783)
,
Luc JC van Loon
1   Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht, Netherlands (Ringgold ID: RIN385783)
› Author Affiliations Clinical Trial:Registration number (trial ID): NCT05610046, Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), Type of Study: Randomized, controlled trial
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Abstract

Introduction Passive heat treatment has been suggested to improve glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous studies have focused predominantly on hot water immersion and traditional sauna bathing, as opposed to the more novel method of infrared-based sauna bathing. Here, the impact of a single infrared sauna session on post-prandial glycemic control was assessed in older individuals with T2DM.

Methods In this randomized controlled crossover trial, 12 participants with T2DM (male/female: 10/2, age: 69±7 y, BMI: 27.5±2.9 kg/m2) rested in an infrared sauna twice: once in a heated (60°C) and once in a thermoneutral (21°C) condition for 40 min, immediately followed by a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Venous blood samples were obtained to assess plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and to determine the whole-body composite insulin sensitivity index.

Results Body core and leg skin temperature were higher following the heated condition compared to the thermoneutral condition (38.0±0.3 vs. 36.6±0.2°C and 39.4±0.8 vs. 31.3±0.8°C, respectively; P<0.001 for both). The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of plasma glucose concentrations during the OGTT was higher after the heated condition compared to the thermoneutral condition (17.7±3.1 vs. 14.8±2.8 mmol/L/120 min; P<0.001). No differences were observed in plasma insulin concentrations (heated: 380±194 vs. thermoneutral: 376±210 pmol/L/120 min; P=0.93) or whole-body composite insulin sensitivity indexes (4.5±2.8 vs. 4.5±2.1; P=0.67).

Conclusions A single infrared sauna session does not improve postprandial blood glucose handling in individuals with T2DM. Future studies should assess the effect of more prolonged application of infrared sauna bathing on daily glycemic control.

Keywords

passive heating - glucose tolerance test - insulin sensitivity - glucose metabolism - thermoregulation

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 08 February 2024

Accepted after revision: 28 August 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
29 August 2024

Article published online:
26 September 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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