Resistin and Adiponectin in Adolescents

Abstract

Preliminary data in adults suggests that people with higher levels of physical activity may have a better adipokine profile. This question, however, has yet to be addressed in youth. PURPOSE: To compare the resistin and adiponectin levels of adolescents with high and low levels of vigorous physical activity (VPA) who were normal or overweight, also to determine the association of these two adipokines with aerobic power. METHODS: The subjects were 120 mid-pubertal adolescents (60 girls and 60 boys) equally grouped into high or low levels of VPA, and who were overweight or normal weight (BMI classification). VPA levels were determined by questionnaire and maximal aerobic power (VO2max; mL/kg/min & mL/kgFFM/min)) was estimated from a cycle-ergometer test. Circulating adiponectin and resistin were measured in fasting plasma samples using Elisa techniques. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVAs indicated that normal weight adolescents had higher adiponectin levels than obese adolescents (p < 0.05), but similar resistin levels (p≥0.05). Girls with higher VPA had 23% higher adiponectin levels than girls with low VPA (p < 0.05), but their resistin levels were similar (p≥0.05). Boys had similar adiponectin and resistin levels (p≥0.05) regardless of VPA levels. Overall VO2max (mL/kg/min) was associated with adiponectin (r= 0.323; p < 001) and resistin (r=−0.240; p < 0.01). But in the girls, VO2max (mL/kg/min) was associated with adiponectin (r= 0.337; p < 0.01), but notresistin. Also, VO2max in mL/kgFFM/min was not associated with either adiponectin or resistin in the girls. In the boys, VO2max expressed in mL/kg/min was associated with both adipokines (adiponectin r=0.352; resistin r=−0.374, p < 0.05), but when expressed in mL/kgFFM/min the association was only significant for resistin (r=−0.306;p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are gender differences in the influence of exercise on the adipokines. Vigorous physical activity levels modify the adiponectin levels of girls regardless of weight status; an effect was not evident in the boys. In contrast, aerobic power (VO2max) appears to positively influence adiponectin levels of both boys and girls, although VO2max appears to influence the levels of resistin only in boys. Therefore, participation in VPA or improving aerobic power may have a positive role in modifying the levels of adiponectin and resistin for some, but not all adolescents. In addition, these gender differences need to be considered in future exercise and adipokine studies.