Objectives: Apelin is novel adipokine acting on APJ receptor, regulated by insulin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Plasma apelin levels are increased in obese subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the aerobic exercise modifies the elevated plasma apelin levels in obese women.
Materials and methods: Twenty obese women (BMI 32.2 ± 6.4 kg/m(2)) were selected by random sampling method among obese women. Twelve healthy women with a BMI of 31.7 ± 0.6 kg/m(2) served as control group. The aerobic exercise was performed during 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. The intensity of the training program proceeded form 50% to 70% in 8 weeks.
Results: Results showed that plasma levels of apelin and TNFα were higher in obese individuals compared with the control group. The exercise resulted in significant decrease (P<0.05) of BMI to 29.8± 6.3 kg/m(2) , plasma insulin (8.16 ± 0.73 to 6.58 ± 0.66 µmol/l), apelin (369 ± 25 pg/ml vs 257 ± 12 pg/ml) and TNFα levels (0.66 ± 0.04 pg/ml vs 0.56 ± 0.04 pg/ml). P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Conclusion: Exercise can decrease plasma apelin, insulin and TNFα levels in obese women. Regular physical activity causes a decrease in plasma levels of apelin if body mass index and body fat mass simultaneously decreased.
Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Apelin; Insulin; Obese women; TNFα.