Aerobic exercise reduces oxidative damage and improves heart function in diabetic rats with heart failure: No extra effect from photobiomodulation

Purpose: The coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and heart failure (HF) worsens clinical outcomes and complicates therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise (AE), with or without photobiomodulation (PBM), on cardiac function, glycaemic control, inflammation, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats with HF. Methods: = 7). AE was performed on a treadmill for eight weeks. PBM (850 nm, 4.4 J) was applied bilaterally to the gastrocnemius muscle after each AE session. Results: > 0.05). Conclusion: AE improved functional capacity, cardiac structural and haemodynamic parameters, fasting glycaemia, and oxidative stress in rats with HF and DM. Under the conditions applied, PBM did not provide additional benefits, indicating that further studies are needed to optimize PBM protocols and clarify its potential role as an adjunct therapy in HFDM.