Effect of 12 Weeks Life-Style Activity Modification (LAM) on Adiponectin Gene Expression and Plasma Adiponectin in Obese Men

Central obesity down regulates adiponectin gene expression and plasma adiponectin concentration. The effects of lifestyle activity modification (LAM) training according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American College of Sports Medicine ACSM guidelines on adiponectin gene expression and its secretion in obese people is not well known. The purpose of this study hence was to examine the effects of LAM on adiponectin gene expression and plasma adiponectin in obese men. Sixteen healthy middle aged men (42.06±6.01 years mean ± SD) participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to the LAM (n=8) and control group (n=8). Subjects in the LAM group walked 2 miles for 30 minutes for 4 days for 12 weeks on treadmill according to the CDC and ACSM guidelines. After 12 weeks LAM training, subjects were asked to avoid any high intensity physical activity for a week. The results showed that weight, BMI, body fat mass, body fat percent, central (visceral and subcutaneous) and peripheral subcutaneous fat volume, waist and hip circumstance and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were decreased significantly after 12 weeks in the LAM group, compared to the controls (P<0.05). After one week detraining, body composition in the training group was maintained and did not change significantly. Also, maximum oxygen uptake, adiponectin gene expression on abdominal and hip subcutaneous adipose tissue were increased significantly in the LAM group compared to controls after 12 weeks (P<0.05). On the other hand, after 12 weeks LAM training no significant differentces were observed in plasma adiponectin and serum high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), levels between groups, while after one week detraining plasma adiponectin and serum hs-CRP levels were significantly increased and decreased respectively (P<0.05). Although, twelve weeks LAM training improved body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and adiponectine gene expression in obese men, but the intensity and time of these exercises are not enough to increase plasma adiponectin and hs-CRP reduction.