Adiponectin, Leptin and Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Adults: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compile and analyse existing scientific evidences reporting the effects of objectively measured physical activity on the levels of adiponectin and leptin. Articles related to the effects of objectively measured physical activity on the levels of adiponectin and leptin were searched from the Medline and PubMed databases. The search was limited to 'objectively measured' physical activity, and studies that did not objectively measure the physical activity were excluded. Only English articles were included in the search and review. A total of 18 articles encompassing 2,026 respondents met the inclusion criteria. The eligible articles included all forms of evidence (e.g., cross-sectional and intervention). Seventeen and 11 studies showed the effects of objectively measured physical activity on adiponectin and leptin, respectively. Five and four cross-sectional studies showed the effects of objectively measured physical activity on adiponectin and leptin, respectively. Two out of five studies showed a weak to moderate positive association between adiponectin and objectively measured physical activity, while three out of four studies showed a weak to moderate inverse association between leptin and objectively measured physical activity. For intervention studies, six out of 12 studies involving adiponectin and five out of seven studies involving leptin showed a significant effect between the proteins and objectively measured physical activity. However, a definitive conclusion could not be drawn due to several methodological flaws in the existing articles and the acute lack of additional research in this area. In conclusion, the existing evidences are encouraging but yet not compelling. Hence, further well-designed large trials are needed before the effectiveness of objectively measured physical activity in elevating adiponectin levels and in decreasing leptin levels could be strongly confirmed.

Changes in objectively measured physical activity after a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention in children with abdominal obesity: a randomized control trial

“…Moreover, an inverse association between changes in MVPA and leptin levels was observed. Similar findings were reported in other intervention studies using objectively measured PA levels in adults [14].…”

“…In regard to this, several intervention studies reported a decrease of leptin levels after aerobic PA in obese adolescents [11–13]. Thus, increased physical activity, specifically MVPA, may lead to a decrease of leptin levels [14]. To our knowledge, few studies have evaluated the effect of lifestyle interventions on changes in objectively measured PA levels in obese children at high metabolic risk [4, 15–19].…”

The effects of physical activity on adipokines in individuals with overweight/obesity across the lifespan: A narrative review

“…49 Walking and biking are also inversely related to circulating concentrations of leptin, TNF-α and IL-6. 47,50 Although light to moderate intensity of leisure time PA (such as during daily life activities) significantly improves adipokine levels, a longitudinal cohort study reported that increased moderate to vigorous PAs were linked to significantly higher levels of adiponectin and lower levels of leptin, IL-6 and resistin. 41 The magnitude of such changes was independent of race and ethnicity or gender.…”

Fructose Consumption in the Development of Obesity and the Effects of Different Protocols of Physical Exercise on the Hepatic Metabolism

“…Furthermore, the GLUT4 gene expression was also increased in these animals. Another study published by the same group of researchers [ 111 ] showed that serum levels of TNF-α and interleukin-6 were reduced with training, accompanied by an increase of adiponectin [ 112 ]. However, obese subjects undergoing strength training showed improvement in insulin sensitivity even without changes in serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines [ 113 ].…”