Acute effects of moderate-intensity constant training on circulatory fibroblast growth factor 21, resis-tin, and adiponectin of physically inactive young adults

Abstract

Introduction: physical inactivity affects metabolic health, and it has been described that physical exercise is able to counter these disturbances. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21, resistin, and adiponectin are known cytokines that are sensitive to physical inactivity and exercise, however, their acute behaviour after one session of exercise in physically inactive young adults is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a session of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on the circulatory levels of FGF21, resistin, and adiponectin of physically inactive young adults. Material and methods: quasi-experimental study, where 20 physically inactive young adults, with body mass indexes between 18 and 30 kg/m2 were included. All performed one MICT session, with an intensity of 60% of their heart rate reserve on a treadmill for 30 minutes. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, lean and fat mass) prior to exercise, and venous blood samples were taken before and after exercise, where glycemia, insulin, lipid profiles, transaminases, FGF21, resistin, and adiponectin were assessed. Results: one MICT session decreased the circulatory levels of insulin (median 23.5 vs 10.9 µUI/ml; p<0.05) and FGF21 (median 527 vs 409 pg/ml; p<0.05). On the other hand, resistin and adiponectin levels did not change after exercise (both p>0.05). Conclusion: one MICT session decreased FGF21 plasma levels, whereas it did not modify resistin and adiponectin circulatory levels. The specific mechanisms behind this different behavior are needed to be elucidated in future studies. Keywords: exercise, sedentary behavior, metabolic syndrome, endurance training, cytokines