The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the levels of plasma visfatin among female adolescents and changes in plasma visfatin and insulin resistance in obese female adolescents after 12 wk of aerobic exercise training. Twenty normal-weight female students (body-mass index [BMI] < 22.9 kg/m² and body fat ≤ 29.9) and 18 obese female students (BMI ≥ 25 kg/ m² and body fat ≥ 30%) participated in this study. Eleven obese students were assigned to an exercise group and completed a 12-wk aerobic exercise-training program that included four 40- to 50-min sessions per wk with an energy expenditure of 300-400 kcal/d. Seven obese students were assigned to a control group that received no exercise sessions or dietary restriction. The plasma visfatin levels of obese female adolescents were significantly higher (p < .05) than those of the normal-weight female adolescents. The plasma visfatin levels (294.00 ± 124.74 ng/ml to 185.55 ± 67.30 ng/ml, p < .01) and insulin resistance (p < .05) were significantly reduced after 12 wk of aerobic exercise. The results suggest that aerobic exercise resulting in an energy expenditure of 1,200-1,600 kcal/wk for 12 wk decreases plasma visfatin and insulin resistance in obese female adolescents.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL), and estrogen level, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in pre- and postmenopausal obese women. Fifty-four obese women (premenopausal, n=25; postmenopausal, n=29) were selected to participate in this study. The outcome measurements in the pre- and postmenopausal groups were compared using independent t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis. The estrogen level (P<0.001), LTL (P<0.05), high-density lipoprotein level (P<0.05), and CRF (P<0.001) were higher in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women. The body fat percentage (P<0.05) and triglyceride concentration (P<0.05) were lower in premenopausal women than in postmenopausal women. There were no significant associations between LTL, CVD risk, CRF, and oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in pre-menopausal women. The body mass index (BMI) and body fat percent-age in postmenopausal women were negatively associated with LTL (P<0.05). When all women were considered (i.e., both pre- and post-menopause), the BMI, percentage of fat, and waist circumference had a negative association with LTL (P<0.05), and estrogen levels were positively associated with LTL (P<0.05). Decreased estrogen levels after menopause, a pivotal factor in the biology of aging, and obesity were more associated with shorter telomere lengths in pre- and postmenopausal women than aerobic capacity and other CVD risk factors.

To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the effect of exercise training, we examined hepatic transcriptional profiles using cDNA microarrays in exercise-trained and untrained mice with diet-induced obesity. C57BL/6J male mice (n ϭ 10/group) were fed with a normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with exercise training for 12 weeks. The expression level of ϳ10,000 transcripts in liver tissues from each group was assessed using cDNA microarray analysis. Exercise training improved lipid profiles and hepatic steatosis and decreased body fat mass induced by the HFD. Seventy-three genes were differentially expressed in the HFD-and/or HFD with exercise training-treated groups, compared with the normal diet-and HFD-fed groups, respectively. Interestingly, the expression profiles involved in metabolism, such as elongation of very long chain fatty acids-like 2, lipin, and malic enzyme, were changed by exercise training. In addition, expression of genes altered by exercise training related to defense and stress response, including metallothionein 1 and 2 and heat shock protein, showed interesting findings. Our study showed beneficial effects of exercise training in preventing the development of obesity and metabolic disorders in mice with diet-induced obesity. Key words: cDNA microarray, C57BL/6J mouse, exercise training, high-fat diet, metabolismConsumption of high-fat diets (HFDs) 1 for extended periods can lead to the development of obesity and diabetes (1), adversely affecting the health of humans and experimental animals (1,2). To elucidate the effects of exercise on obesity induced by HFD, we studied liver tissues in C57BL/6J mice because the liver plays an integral part in the physiology of exercise. This organ supplies energy substrates to peripheral tissues by the Cori cycle and glycogen catabolism and is important for detoxification.Exercise training is known to improve the metabolic profile, including reduced hepatic accumulation of total fat and cholesterol in rats fed an HFD (3). Furthermore, exercise regulates the gene expression related to metabolism, defense, and stress responses (3-5). However, the results in most cases have been obtained in a gene-by-gene manner. For this reason, we chose the microarray approach as a global analysis of the genetic basis for the relationship between exercise and obesity. Therefore, we used cDNA microarray, containing ϳ10,000 mouse transcripts. Some of them were already known to be sensitive to exercise in an obesity model. However, others have been newly identified. We describe important new effects of exercise on the expression of genes related to energy metabolism, defense, and stress responses.

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Using social capital theory, this study of 194 dating couples examined the connection between parents' approval of the dating relationship (reported by each couple member for his/her own parents and the partner's parents) and participants' relationship distress. The Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model within Structural Equation Modeling served as the data-analytic tool. Results showed that, in support of the theory, relationship approval from strong ties (one's own parents) and from weak ties (one's partner's parents) manifested themselves differently in romantic relationships. Specifically, both men's and women's perception of relationship approval from their own parents (strong ties) and from their partner's parents (weak ties) negatively predicted couple members' own relationship distress. Moreover, path coefficients between men's and women's strong ties and their own relationship distress were roughly twice as large as those between men's and women's weak ties and their relationship distress. Findings were less clear for the association between perceptions of relationship approval from one's own and one's partner's parents and the dating partners' relationship distress. The findings are discussed in light of prior research and theory on social capital.Keywords: actor-partner interdependence model, dyadic data analysis, parental relationship approval, romantic relationships, social capital theory Romantic relationships are an important aspect of individuals' development and socialization. Through romantic relationships, individuals learn intimacy and crucial interpersonal skills. Romantic relationships are also the precursor of marriage. Thus, it is not surprising that many studies have examined the web of factors and experiences related to romantic relationship quality and stability. Support for the relationship from one's social network is one of these factors. Network support has long been believed to have tremendous influence on romantic relationships (e.g