By: Yu Yang, Xiangyong Gan, Qilin Xiao, Yingye Liang, Zhenghong Ye, Yuhan Zeng, Rundong Lin, Tianxia Diao, Zhiming Ye, Yi Liang, Weibo Hong, Yufeng He
Keywords: Five-animal Play exercise; Glucose metabolism; Impaired glucose tolerance; Traditional Chinese medicine exercise therapy
DOI : 10.36721/PJPS.2026.39.5.REG.15722.1
Abstract: Background: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a reversible pre-diabetic condition characterized by early disruptions in insulin resistance and glucose control. Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a/ secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (Wnt5a/Sfrp5) signaling and GLP-1 modulation have been identified as possible treatment approaches. Object: The effects of low-intensity aerobic activity, Huatuo Five-animal Play exercise and bifidobacterium triple viable capsules on glucose–lipid metabolism and GLP-1/Wnt5a/Sfrp5 signaling were assessed in this randomized, parallel-group clinical trial involving ninety persons with IGT. Methods: The designated intervention was given to participants for four weeks. Before and during therapy, measurements were taken of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h post-load glucose (2hFBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum lipids and circulating GLP-1, Wnt5a and Sfrp5. Results: All treatments improved lipid indices, characterized by reductions in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), along with an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and significantly lowered FBG, 2hFBG, HbA1c, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (P<0.05). Compared with aerobic exercise, Five-animal Play generated higher decreases in FBG, 2hFBG and HOMA-IR and a more significant decline in Wnt5a (P<0.05). Outcomes in the Five-animal Play group were comparable to the probiotic group. There were no negative responses or toxicities to the kidneys or liver. Conclusion: Huatuo Five-animal Play may offer a safe, mechanism-based non-pharmacological approach for early metabolic intervention in pre-diabetes.
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