Anti-Inflammatory Effects of a Period of Aerobic Training and Vitamin D Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Inflammatory markers of blood are critical predictors of chronic diseases as well as exacerbating risk factors. Exercise is a well-known strategy to reduce the risk of inflammation and chronic disease. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of a period of aerobic training and vitamin D supplementation (AT + Vit D) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was performed on forty-six patients with metabolic syndrome who were selected according to the available sampling method, and were randomly divided into four groups: AT + Vit D (50,000 IU), AT, Vit D (50,000 IU), and control (C). The training protocol consisted of 40-60 min of AT 60-75% of maximal heart rate, three times a week, for 8 weeks. One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used to compare the between and within groups; the Bonferroni post hoc test was used if significant differences were found. Results: The combination of exercise and vitamin D significantly reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) (P = 0.001), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.001), and improved the metabolic syndrome indices (P = 0.001 in all indices). The results also show that the improvement in the metabolic syndrome indices, CRP, and IL-6 was more significant in AT + Vit D, compared to AT or Vit D alone. Conclusions: The findings from the present study suggested that a sedentary lifestyle and vitamin D deficiency accelerated the occurrence of metabolic syndrome probably by increasing the anti-inflammatory. Additionally, adequate levels of plasma vitamin D are necessary to achieve the beneficial metabolic effects of AT.

High-intensity Interval Training Improves Lipocalin-2 and Omentin-1 Levels in Men with Obesity.

We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on selected circulating adipokines and other cardiovascular diseases risks factors in men with obesity. Thirty men with obesity (age: 24.96±3.11 year, BMI: 30.92±1.04 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to HIIT and control groups. The HIIT group participated in a 12-week HIIT program (5×2 min interval bout at an intensity of 85-95% HRmax interspersed by 1 min passive recovery, three times per week), while the control group maintained their usual lifestyles. Blood lipids, insulin resistance, and select serum adipokines were assessed before and after 12 weeks of the intervention period. HIIT improved body composition and lipid profiles (p<0.05) and also decreased fasting insulin levels (p=0.001) and HOMA-IR (p=0.002) levels. Furthermore, HIIT increased levels of lipocalin-2 (p=0.002) while decreasing omentin-1 levels (p=0.001) in men with obesity. Changes in lcn2 and omentin-1 concentrations correlated with the changes in risk factors in the HIIT group (p<0.05). The results indicate that 12 weeks of supervised HIIT significantly improves both circulating concentrations of lcn2 and omentin-1, two recently described adipokines, and risk markers of cardiovascular diseases in men with obesity. Further research is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms involved with these changes.

Changes of Serum Adiponectin and Testosterone Concentrations Following Twelve Weeks Resistance Training in Obese Young Men.

BACKGROUND: Circulating levels of adiponectin and testosterone decrease in obese men and this increases risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to survey changes of serum adiponectin and testosterone concentrations following twelve weeks resistance training in obese young men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a semi-experimental study, twenty one obese young men were randomly placed in two groups: resistance training (26.5 ± 2.8 years) and control (27.4 ± 2.9 years). General characteristics of subjects and serum levels of adiponectin and testosterone were assessed before and after training. Resistance training protocol consisted of twelve weeks weight training (3 sessions per week, 10 exercises, 3 sets of 8 - 12 repetitions in each exercise, intensity 60% - 80% of one repetition maximum, rest between sets 1 minute and between exercises 2 minutes, duration of main training 20 - 40 minutes per each session). RESULTS: Resistance training had no significant effect on body weight and body mass index (P > 0.05), whereas it decreased body fat percent (P = 0.017). Also, serum adiponectin (8.1 ± 1.8 vs. 10.5 ± 2.3 µg/mL) and testosterone concentrations (6.9 ± 2.4 vs. 8.2 ± 1.7 ng/mL) were increased after resistance training (P = 0.033, P = 0.018 respectively), while there were no significant changes in serum levels of these hormones in control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of resistance training increased serum concentrations of adiponectin and testosterone in obese young men. With respect to inverse associations between changes of adiponectin and testosterone with BFP and insulin level variations after resistance training, it is recommended that obese young men do resistance training to benefit useful decreasing/preventive effects of this type of training against the risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Relationships between acylated ghrelin with growth hormone, insulin resistance, lipid profile, and cardio respiratory function in lean and obese men.

BACKGROUND: Acylated ghrelin, biologically active form of ghrelin, activates growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor 1a and play a role in regulating of energy balance. The purpose of this study was to survey relationships between acylated ghrelin with GH, insulin resistance, lipid profile, and cardio respiratory function in lean and obese men. METHODS: Nineteen obese men (body mass index 31.0 ± 3.5 kg/m(2), aged 27.5 ± 5.8 year) and the same number of lean men (body mass index = 18.47 ± 2.1 kg/m(2), aged 26.9 ± 5.6 year) were selected if they had no experience of regular physical activity during six month ago. After 12 hour fasting, blood samples were collected and blood parameters as well as maximal oxygen uptake (as indicator of cardiorespiratory function) was assessed. RESULTS: Insulin levels and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) were higher, and GH, acylated ghrelin and maximal oxygen uptake levels were lower, in obese versus lean men (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles between the two groups (p > 0.01). Plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations in obese and lean men were negatively correlated to body weight (r= -0.50, r= -0.43, respectively), body fat percent (r = -0.53, r = -0.44, respectively), body mass index (r = -0.53, r = -0.49, respectively), insulin (r = -0.42, r = -0.40, respectively) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.48, r = -0.45, respectively), and positively correlated to GH levels (r = 0.37, r = 0.31, respectively) and maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.33, r = 0.31, respectively) (p < 0.01). No significant correlations were observed between plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles in both groups (p > 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Obese and lean inactive young men had different levels of acylated ghrelin, GH, insulin, insulin resistance index, cardiorespiratory function and body fat percent. Body fat percent, insulin, and GH levels appear to be best determinant factors of acylated ghrelin levels. Also, in both obese and lean young men, higher levels of cardiovascular function were associated with higher levels of acylated ghrelin.