A study on the role of Tai Chi training in improving type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To explore the role of Tai Chi training in improving Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) based on gut microbiota, serum inflammatory factors, and intestinal mucosal barrier function. Methods Thirty-six patients with T2DM underwent 6 months of Tai Chi training. Body composition, biochemical indicators (fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, etc.), serum inflammatory factors (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), etc.), and gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were measured. Results After 6 months of Tai Chi training, significant reductions were observed in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat percentage ( p < 0.05), while lean body mass increased significantly ( p < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and total cholesterol levels decreased significantly ( p < 0.01). C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-8 levels decreased significantly ( p < 0.01), while the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 increased significantly ( p < 0.01). The Chao1 and Shannon indices increased significantly ( p < 0.05). The abundance of beneficial bacteria increased significantly, while the abundance of harmful bacteria decreased significantly ( p < 0.01). Markers of intestinal mucosal barrier function, including D-lactate and zonulin, decreased significantly ( p < 0.01), while the level of milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) increased significantly ( p < 0.01). Conclusion Tai Chi training can improve blood glucose homeostasis, gut microbiota richness and diversity, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and systemic inflammatory status in T2DM patients. Tai Chi training may be an important approach for personalized treatment of T2DM.