Effect of Resistance Exercise on the Lipolysis Pathway in Obese Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Physical exercise may stimulate lipolytic activity within adipose tissue. Furthermore, resistance exercise may contribute to the more efficient reduction in adipose tissue mass and prevent the accumulation thereof in obese women. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of regular resistance exercise for 12 weeks on the lipolysis pathway in women with obesity. Twenty-three pre- and postmenopausal women with body fat percentages of 30% or more were divided into the premenopausal group (n = 9) and the postmenopausal group (n = 14). All subjects participated in resistance exercise training for 12 weeks. Anthropometric and physical fitness tests were performed on all participants. Protein analyses were performed on extracted subcutaneous fatty tissue, and changes in the relevant protein levels in the samples were analyzed by Western blotting. All serum samples were submitted for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measurements of adipocyte factors. After 12 weeks, the adipose triglyceride lipase, monoacylglycerol lipase, and perilipin1 protein levels were significantly lower in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group. The hormone-sensitive lipase protein levels were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group. In addition, leptin concentrations were significantly decreased after resistance exercise in the postmenopausal group. Adiponectin concentrations were significantly increased after resistance exercise in both groups. These findings indicate that regular resistance exercise is effective in reducing the weight and body fat of obese premenopausal women, and in the secretion of adiponectin. On the other hand, postmenopausal women were found to have redeced weight and body fat, and were found to be positive for the secretion of adipokine factors. In addition, positive changes in lipolysis pathway factors in adipose tissue promote lipid degradation and reduce fat mass. Thus, regular resistance exercise shows positive changes in the lipolysis pathway more effectively in weight and body fat reduction in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women.

Moderate Effects of Hypoxic Training at Low and Supramaximal Intensities on Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Gene Expression in Mice

“…The expression in skeletal muscle is correlated with fiber type, being higher in oxidative fibers than in glycolytic fibers [60]. It was previously established that different types of exercise training (including HIIT) lead to increased lipolysis due to increased HSL gene expression and protein concentration in adipocytes and skeletal muscle, both in humans and in animals [61][62][63][64][65]. The same effect is exerted on the expression of this gene by hypoxia; e.g., intermittent hypoxia increased HSL-mediated lipolysis in mice [66,67].…”

Effect of Exercise Training on Body Composition and Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

“…The possible reason as to why RT can induce positive changes in body composition is that it increases skeletal muscle mass, further improving the basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure ( 70 ). Furthermore, lipolytic activation is delayed in obese individuals, and RT may play a role by upregulating adipose tissue lipolysis and by increasing energy expenditure ( 71 , 72 ).…”

The influence of health-improving fitness classes on the degree of fat deposition in women of the second mature age

“…Kang et al [12] studied the effects of regular resistance exercise for 12 weeks on obese women. Regular resistance exercise is more effective in reducing weight and body fat in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women.…”