Effects of different types of exercise on insulin-sensitizing adipokine "apelin" in type 2 diabetes

Adipokine apelin is involved in energy metabolism and the pathogenesis of diabetes. Apelin can have anti-type 2 diabetes activity and be effective in reducing insulin resistance as an insulin-sensitizing agent. Also, reviewing the effects of different types of exercise on apelin can answer many questions about exercise-induced apelin, and identify the therapeutic role of exercise on apelin and diabetes. Therefore, in the present review article, the effect of chronic and acute exercise on apelin in type 2 diabetes, and the mechanisms of the effect of exercise on apelin and insulin sensitivity are presented.

Few studies have evaluated the effect of acute exercise on apelin in type 2 diabetes, and most of the studies on the effect of chronic exercise have been of the aerobic type, with contradictory results (the increase and decrease of the apelin) reported. Also, it seems that exercise, independently of body weight changes by improving insulin sensitivity can affect adipose tissue and circulating apelin, and thus reduce insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, apelin and exercise as insulin-sensitizing agents can increase energy metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity by similar mechanisms.

Exercise-induced apelin can be a promising therapeutic strategy and target for type 2 diabetes. However, further studies are needed to determine how different types of exercise affect apelin, as well as the exact association of exercise-induced apelin with the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and related mechanisms.