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Abstract

Abstract
Aim: Apelin is an adipokine that is closely related with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, the effect of an aerobic exercise training program was investigated on plasma apelin levels in overweight healthy women.
Method: Eighteen healthy women were selected as subjects and were randomly divided into two exercise (n=9 aged 45±6.22 yrs, BMI 26.17±2.61 kg/m2) and control (n=9 aged 42.88±3.14 yrs, BMI 27.14±2.58 kg/m2) groups. Subjects in the exercise group performed 8 weeks running and walking exercise training 3 days a week at intensity corresponding to 60-70% HRmax. Before and after exercise training, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and plasma levels of apelin, insulin and glucose and HOMA-IR after a 12-hr fasting was measured.
Results: No significant changes were observed in apelin, insulin, glucose and plasma levels and also HOMA-IR in two groups comparing to pre-test and between groups.
Conclusion: It seems that low to moderate intensity exercise training or decrease of fat mass cannot have significant effects on the amount of blood apelin and insulin resistance in overweight healthy women, though apelin levels may change with changes in insulin levels or insulin resistance index.
Key words: Adipokines, Weight loss, Plasma apelin, Aerobic training

Keywords