The Effect of 8 Weeks of Continuous Training on Serum Levels of Asprosin, Insulin, and Insulin Resistance Index in Obese Rats

Asprosin is a protein hormone that is mainly secreted by fat cells and enters the bloodstream. In the present study, the effect of 8-week continuous training was investigated on serum levels of asprosin, insulin, and insulin resistance index in obese rats.

For this, 32 male Wistar rats (mean weight=180/23±7 grams) were randomly divided into four groups of Healthy Control (N=8), Obese Control (N=8), Healthy Training (N=8), and Obese Training (N=8). The continuous training group performed the training protocol for 8 weeks, and 48 hours after the end of the last training session, the rats were anesthetized and euthanized. The variables of interest (serum levels of asprosin, level of glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance index) were measured in rats. Data analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test at the significance level of α=0.05.

There was a significant difference among mean serum levels of asprosin (p<0/001), insulin (p<0/001), fasting glucose (p<0/001), and insulin resistance index (p<0/001) in the Healthy Control, Obese Control, Healthy Training, and Obese Training groups.

Based on the results of the present study, it seems that obesity has a significant effect on increasing asprosin levels and continuous exercise has a significant effect on reducing asprosin levels. Therefore, continuous training can be used as an important strategy to reduce asprosin levels and weight.