Aerobic exercise training-induced changes in serum adropin level are associated with reduced arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults

Aerobic exercise improves endothelial function and serum adropin levels in obese adolescents independent of body weight loss

Adropin is a secreted protein that regulates endothelial function. However, adropin levels in obese adolescent patients are currently uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated the association between plasma adropin levels and vascular endothelial function and investigated the effect of aerobic exercise in obese adolescents. A total of 45 obese adolescents and 20 controls (age 16-19 years) were included in our study. The obese adolescents received 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training. Serum adropin was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Vascular reactive hyperemia indexes (RHIs) were obtained using Endo-PAT2000. Adropin levels and RHI were significantly lower in obese adolescents than in normal-weight adolescents. Adropin levels and RHI increased significantly independently of changes in body weight after an exercise intervention (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that adropin levels positively correlated with HDL-C levels (r = 0.389, P < 0.01) and RHI (r = 0.32, P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that the insulin resistance index (t = -3.301, P < 0.01) and HDL-C level (t = 2.620, P = 0.011) were independent risk factors of adropin levels. In addition, Δadropin (t = 3.261, P < 0.01) was an independent influencing factor of ΔRHI. Our findings suggest that adropin plays an important role in vascular endothelial function in obese adolescents.

[Effects of a recreational general physical activity program with short term and moderate intensity of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive patients over 50 years old]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of a recreational general physical activity program with moderate intensity and short duration on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors (BMI, cholesterol, Rest Heart Rate, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides) in hypertensive patients older than 50years.

DESIGN

Non-randomised pre-post design, quasi-experimental study.

LOCATION

Íllora, Granada, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 60 subjects aged 50-75years taking part in the Health Hypertensive Program in the Medical Centre were selected.

INTERVENTION

A recreational general physical activity program, mainly aerobic capacity, of 4weeks duration, 3days/week, and an intensity of 45-55% HR Reserve.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

SBP, DBP, HR, BMI, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TG, and Glucose.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Statistically significant decreases (P<.05) were observed in BMI (-0.51%; 95%CI: 30.26 to 31.93units), HR (-5.57beats/min; 95%CI: 68.76 to 71.73beats/min), SBP (-14.82mmHg; 95%CI: 131.57 to 137.52mmHg), DBP (-5.33mmHg; 95%CI: 78.94 to 83.68mmHg), Glucose (-7.63mg/dL; 95%CI: 125.06 to 153.73mg/dL) and REGICOR risk (-20.46%; 95%CI: 5.45 to 6.90%). Statistically significant increases were observed in HDL (+2.82mg/dl; 95%CI: 46.78 to 52.11mmHg), and TG (+8.27mg/dl; 95%CI: 133.89 to 152.60mg/dL). Men had a wider variation in HR and DBP, and women in SBP (P<.05). Subjects with baseline SBP≥160mmHg experienced greater declines in HR, SBP, DBP, Glucose and TG (-10.67beats/min, -31mmHg, -8.27mmHg, -10.86mg/dL, and 34.66mg/dL, respectively) than those with an initial SBP<160mmHg, where there was an increase in HDL and a decrease in LDL. After this program, improvements in BP and other cardiovascular risk factors were obtained in hypertensive subjects over 50years.

Acute effect of stretching one leg on regional arterial stiffness in young men

PURPOSE

Our previous study demonstrated that a single bout of stretching exercises acutely reduced arterial stiffness. We hypothesized that this acute vascular response is due to regional mechanical stimulation of the peripheral arteries. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of a single bout of passive one leg stretching on arterial stiffness, comparing the stretched and the non-stretched leg in the same subject.

METHODS

Twenty-five healthy young men (20.9 ± 0.3 years, 172.5 ± 1.4 cm, 64.1 ± 1.2 kg) volunteered for the study. Subjects underwent a passive calf stretching on one leg (six repetitions of 30-s static stretch with a 10-s recovery). Pulse wave velocity (PWV, an index of arterial stiffness), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) were measured before and immediately, 15, and 30 min after the stretching.

RESULTS

Femoral-ankle PWV (faPWV) in the stretched leg was significantly decreased from baseline (835.0 ± 15.9 cm/s) to immediately (802.9 ± 16.8 cm/s, P < 0.01) and 15 min (810.5 ± 16.0 cm/s, P < 0.01) after the stretching, despite no changes in systolic and diastolic BP, or HR. However, faPWV in the non-stretched leg was not significantly altered at any time. Brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) also showed similar responses with faPWV, but this response was not significant. Additionally, the passive stretching did not alter carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that mechanical stimulation to peripheral arteries as induced by static passive stretch may modulate arterial wall properties directly, rather than resulting in a systemic effect.

Association between aerobic exercise training effects of serum adropin level, arterial stiffness, and adiposity in obese elderly adults

Serum levels of adropin, which enhances endothelial cell release of nitric oxide (NO), are lower in obese patients. Although habitual aerobic exercise reduces arterial stiffness and adiposity, the relationship between these effects and circulating levels of adropin remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if serum adropin level is associated with the effects of aerobic exercise training on arterial stiffness and adiposity in obese adults. In Experiment 1, we examined whether serum adropin levels are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, carotid β-stiffness, plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx) level, and abdominal visceral fat in 27 normal, 20 overweight, and 25 obese adults (age, 41-79 years). In Experiment 2, we examined the effects of an 8-week aerobic exercise training program on the relationship between serum adropin level and arterial stiffness or adiposity in 13 obese adults (age, 54-76 years). Serum adropin levels in normal, overweight, and obese adults negatively correlated with carotid β-stiffness and abdominal visceral fat, and positively correlated with plasma NOx level and cardiorespiratory fitness. After the 8-week exercise program, serum adropin levels in obese adults were elevated, and correlated with training-induced changes in carotid β-stiffness (r = -0.573, P < 0.05), plasma NOx level (r = 0.671, P < 0.05), and abdominal visceral fat (r = -0.585, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the exercise training-induced increase in serum adropin may be related to the training effects of arterial stiffness and adiposity in obese adults.

Inverse association between carbohydrate consumption and plasma adropin concentrations in humans

OBJECTIVE

The role of metabolic condition and diet in regulating circulating levels of adropin, a peptide hormone linked to cardiometabolic control, is not well understood. In this study, weight loss and diet effects on plasma adropin concentrations were examined.

METHODS

This report includes data from (1) a weight loss trial, (2) an evaluation of acute exercise effects on mixed-meal (60% kcal from carbohydrates) tolerance test responses, and (3) a meta-analysis to determine normal fasting adropin concentrations.

RESULTS

Distribution of plasma adropin concentrations exhibited positive skew and kurtosis. The effect of weight loss on plasma adropin concentrations was dependent on baseline plasma adropin concentrations, with an inverse association between baseline and a decline in concentrations after weight loss (Spearman's ρ = -0.575; P < 0.001). When ranked by baseline plasma adropin concentrations, only values in the upper quartile declined with weight loss. Plasma adropin concentrations under the main area of the bell curve correlated negatively with habitual carbohydrate intake and plasma lipids. There was a negative correlation between baseline values and a transient decline in plasma adropin during the mixed-meal tolerance test.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma adropin concentrations in humans are sensitive to dietary macronutrients, perhaps due to habitual consumption of carbohydrate-rich diets suppressing circulating levels. Very high adropin levels may indicate cardiometabolic conditions sensitive to weight loss.