Effect of aerobic training on retinol binding protein-4 and insulin resistance in women with metabolic syndrome

Aim: Retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4) as an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue, plays an important role in insulin resistance and metabolic disorders. Despite the benefits of aerobic training on metabolic disorders, the effect of aerobic training on RBP-4 and its relation with metabolic factors in patients with metabolic syndrome is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks aerobic training on serum RBP-4 levels and insulin resistance in women with metabolic syndrome.
In a semi-experimental study, 24 women with metabolic syndrome (age: 52.79±4.91 yrs, BMI: 32.77±2.37 Kg/m2 and VO2peak: 40±2.55 L/min) were randomly assigned into two groups including exercise (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. Aerobic exercise program was performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week with an intensity of 50-60% of peak oxygen consumption for 20-40 minutes. Prior to the experimental period and 48h after last training session, body composition measurements were performed and blood samples were taken to be measured for serum levels of RBP-4, lipid profile, glucose and insulin. Insulin resistance index was also assessed. The data were analyzed using statistical tests of Paired and Independent t-test and Pearson's correlation test at significance level of P The results showed that aerobic training significantly decreased serum RBP-4, glucose, insulin resistance index, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and metabolic syndrome Z score (P Overall, the results of this study indicated that aerobic training can reduce the RBP-4 levels and improve insulin resistance and some metabolic risk factors in women with metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance improvement is likely to be resulted from decreased RBP-4 levels following aerobic training.