Plasma chemerin in young untrained men: association with cardio-metabolic traits and physical performance, and response to intensive interval training.

OBJECTIVES: Chemerin is an adipose tissue-derived adipokine thought to decrease insulin sensitivity and increase cardiometabolic risk. This study aimed to assess the association of chemerin with cardiometabolic risk and physical performance and examine its response to high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

METHODS: Eighteen young men have been applied a HIIT program during 8 weeks. Plasma chemerin together with several cardiometabolic factors and physical performance indices were determined before and after the training program. Plasma chemerin and insulin were assessed using immunoenzymatic methods. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) index was calculated as an estimate of insulin resistance.

RESULTS: Basal plasma chemerin was positively correlated with body mass index (r=0.782, p<0.001), body fat (r=0.767, p<0.001), total (r=0.686, p=0.002) and LDL (r=0.587, p=0.010) cholesterol, triglycerides (r=0.775, p<0.001), HOMA-IR (r=0.673, p=0.002) and C-reactive protein (r=0.765, p<0.001). With regards to physical performance, chemerin was negatively correlated with maximal oxygen uptake (r=-0.572, p=0.013) and squat jump (r=-0.627, p=0.005), but positively related to 10-m sprint (r=0.716, p=0.001) and 30-m sprint (r=0.667, p=0.002) times. HIIT program resulted in significant improvements in body composition, plasma lipids and insulin sensitivity. However, no significant change was detected for plasma chemerin in response to HIIT (134±50.7 ng/mL vs. 137±51.9 ng/mL, p=0.750).

CONCLUSIONS: Basal plasma chemerin is associated with cardiometabolic health and physical performance in young men. Following HIIT, cardiometabolic health and physical performance had improved, but no significant change had occurred for plasma chemerin.