The effect of moderate aerobic exercises on serum levels of adiponectin, TNF-α and the adiponectin/TNF-α ratio in men with metabolic syndrome

Considering the role of physical activity on some factors affecting metabolic diseases, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate aerobic exercise on serum levels of adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and adiponectin/TNF-α ratio in men with metabolic syndrome.

In this semi-experimental study with a pre-test to post-test design, 24 men with metabolic syndrome, the age range of 40-50 years with a BMI=32.90±2.22 kg/m2 were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and they were randomly divided into control and exercise groups. The training intervention included six weeks of moderate aerobic exercises (60-65% HRmax) and three times per week. Serum levels of adiponectin and TNF-α were measured by ELISA and Fasting glucose, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein were measured by enzymatic calorimetric method. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS24 software using repeated measures ANOVA at significant level were set at p≤0.05.

Six weeks of moderate aerobic exercise in men with metabolic syndrome caused a significant increase in serum levels of adiponectin (p=0.008) and the adiponectin/TNF-α ratio (p=0.003) as well as a significant decrease in TNF-α (p=0.01) also were observed. Moreover, serum levels of metabolic parameters including fasting glucose (p=0.001), triglyceride (p=0.003), high-density lipoprotein cholestrol (p=0.03) and BMI (p=0.04) showed a significant improvement at post test. The highest change in the adiponectin/TNF-α and the lowest change in high-density lipoprotein cholestrol were observed.

It seems that moderate aerobic exercise by adjusting the parameters related to the metabolic syndrome disease and also reducing inflammation, can improve the symptoms of this disease.