Since the beginning of the project, the following experimental procedures have been conducted: recruitment and medical screening, experimental testing, collection and processing of biological samples, creation of datasets and completion of global dataset, data processing and analyses, statistical and computational analyses, scientific writing, and dissemination. As a result, 5 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes at early-middle gestation, and 13 non-pregnant women with type 1 diabetes have been assessed. In he following seven months, 5 additional pregnant women will complete their assessments at early-middle gestation, and 9 pregnant women will complete their assessments in late gestation.
Overall, we have observed that pregnant women with type 1 diabetes spent slightly more time in euglycemia and hyperglycaemia, and less time in hypoglycaemia when they exercised before lunch instead after lunch. However, these differences were minimal and not meaningful. Moreover, we have observed that glucose variability appears to be slightly lower (better) when women exercise after lunch instead before lunch. During the night, pregnant women in the post-meal exercise day showed better glycaemic control than in the pre-meal exercise day. In other words, exercising before and after lunch had overall similar beneficial effects in optimising glucose excursions, except overnight, where exercising after lunch seemed to be slightly more beneficial.
Regarding non-pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, women who exercised after lunchtime spent more time in euglycemia, and less time in hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia compared to the day when they exercised before lunch. However, these differences were very small. Moreover, we have observed that women had lower glucose variability (better) when they exercised after lunch compared to before lunch. Overall, post-meal exercise appears to be more effective in non-pregnant women with type 1 diabetes to optimise glucose excursions.
Furthermore, our molecular analysis were able to detect differences in the plasma proteome of the pre- vs. post-meal exercise day, which suggests that exercise before and after lunch rely on different and specific molecular processes.
It is important to highlight that the additional assessments and analyses to be conducted soon will shed more light on these results, and on the underlying mechanisms.
Regarding the results to be exploited in relation to the project, I have submitted one study to Journal of Sports Sciences and I am finishing 2 other studies which will be submitted soon to scientific journals. Regarding articles derived from the MERIT project, I have started analysing data for the first research article regarding the effects of pre- and post-meal exercise on glycaemic control, and we expect to publish 4 articles by next year.
Moreover, I have disseminated results to several audiences. For instance, I have given 2 oral presentations at prestigious congresses and 2 well-regarded invited lectures, I have joined the Marie Curie Alumni Association and LIDERARMAS network, and I am participating in the EASD Early Career Academy Program. In all these activities, I have disseminated our work to researchers around the globe and other audience. Moreover, we have disseminated the MERIT study to the general audience through press releases in newspapers, the Styria region, City of Graz, and via diabetes associations, and via website pages (e.g. Facebook, Studo). By the end of the year, we will make public our results in the official website page of the Graz city council and “Das Land Steiermark”. Moreover, I have brought our research closer to our Department and students from the University through internal seminars, and by teaching practical courses and lectures to the students from the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
Once we have collected all data, I will organise open-doors discussions with the participants from the project and general public. I will continue disseminating our results in invited talks, seminars, and congresses.
