Shahin Sheibani - Departmen of Exercise Physiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran
Parichehr Hanachi - Faculty of Sciences, Biology Department, Biochemistry Unit, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ali Refahiat - Departmen of Exercise Physiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran

Objective(s)Apelin is novel adipokine acting on APJ receptor, regulated by insulin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Plasma apelin levels are increased in obese subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the aerobic exercise modifies the elevated plasma apelin levels in obese women.Materials and MethodsTwenty obese women (BMI ۳۲.۲ ± ۶.۴ kg/m۲) were selected by random sampling method among obese women. Twelve healthy women with a BMI of ۳۱.۷ ± ۰.۶ kg/m۲ served as control group. The aerobic exercise was performed during ۸ weeks, ۳ sessions per week. The intensity of the training program proceeded form ۵۰% to ۷۰% in ۸ weeks.ResultsResults showed that plasma levels of apelin and TNFα were higher in obese individuals compared with the control group. The exercise resulted in significant decrease (P<۰.۰۵) of BMI to ۲۹.۸± ۶.۳ kg/m۲ , plasma insulin (۸.۱۶ ± ۰.۷۳ to ۶.۵۸ ± ۰.۶۶ μmol/l), apelin (۳۶۹ ± ۲۵ pg/ml vs ۲۵۷ ± ۱۲ pg/ml) and TNFα levels (۰.۶۶ ± ۰.۰۴ pg/ml vs ۰.۵۶ ± ۰.۰۴ pg/ml). P< ۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant.ConclusionExercise can decrease plasma apelin, insulin and TNFα levels in obese women. Regular physical activity causes a decrease in plasma levels of apelin if body mass index and body fat mass simultaneously decreased. 

aerobic exercise, Apelin, Insulin, Obese women, TNFα