Associations of apelin, leptin, irisin, ghrelin, insulin, glucose levels, and lipid parameters with physical activity during eight weeks of regular exercise training.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of basketball training on apelin, leptin, irisin, ghrelin, insulin, glucose, and blood lipids among basketball players. METHODS: The exercise groups were given 2 h of basketball training for 5 d a week and for 8 weeks. The control group was randomly selected among the adolescents who did not regularly exercise. RESULTS: The apelin and ghrelin levels significantly increased; however, leptin, irisin, and insulin levels statistically decreased in the post-exercise group compared to the other groups (p < .05). The results suggest low levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) parameters (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that after 8 weeks of chronic exercise training, apelin and ghrelin levels increased; in contrast, leptin, irisin, and insulin levels decreased. The decrease in leptin and irisin levels is compatible with the pattern of decrease in the lipid levels as a result of chronic exercise.