Effect of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on chemerin levels in obese adults

SummaryAimsSerum chemerin concentrations are elevated in obese individuals and may play a role in type 2 diabetes. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, which may be related to changes in chemerin. This study explored how an acute bout of aerobic exercise affected chemerin levels in non-diabetic obese adults.MethodsBlood samples from 11 obese adults were obtained during two separate conditions: sedentary (SED) and exercise (EX; 60–65% VO2peak). Samples were drawn at baseline, immediately following exercise and hourly for an additional 2 h. ANOVA was used to test for differences in chemerin between conditions.ResultsUnadjusted analysis showed no difference in overall change (baseline to 2 h post) in chemerin between conditions. During the 2-h post-exercise period, chemerin decreased to 12% below baseline, compared to a 2.5% increase above baseline during that time period on the sedentary day (p = 0.06, difference in post-to-2 h change between conditions). Controlling for homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), a significant difference existed between EX and SED in the change in chemerin from baseline to 2-h post (p = 0.02). Stratified analyses showed a consistent exercise-induced decrease in chemerin among non-insulin resistant subjects, while chemerin increased during exercise among insulin resistant subjects, and then decreased post-exercise.ConclusionAn acute bout of exercise in obese individuals may elicit a drop in chemerin levels during the post-exercise period, and this response may vary based on insulin resistance.