Acute anaerobic exercise affects the secretion of asprosin, irisin, and other cytokines - A comparison between sexes

Abstract

Objective: The new adipokine, which is asprosin, affects glucose release from the liver to the blood, and thus, influences exercise metabolism. This is the first study assessing whether single anaerobic exercise affects asprosin secretion in women and men. Methods: 10 men and 10 women (aged 21.64 ± 1.22 and 22.64 ± 1.49, respectively) performed a single 20-s bicycle sprint. Blood samples were collected before exercise and in the 30, 150, 300, and 600 of recovery, and 24 h after competition. Results: Only in women did asprosin (P = 0.001) (150, 300, 600, and 24 h after exercise) and irisin (P < 0.001) (150, 300, and 600) concentrations increase. Leptin, however, decreased (P = 0.001) at 30, 150, and 300 in women. There was an increase in interleukin-6 (P < 0.001) at 30, 150, 300, and 600 of recovery in men, at 150, 300, 600, and 24 h of recovery in women, along with a simultaneous decrease in interleukin-1β (P < 0.001) at 150, 300, and 600 of recovery in men, and at 150 and 300 of recovery in women (r = −0.35, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between asprosin and adiponectin and a negative one between asprosin and leptin. The increase in irisin concentration at 300 of recovery was positively correlated with the increase in asprosin concentration and percentage fat content, while being negatively correlated with total and lean body mass (LBM). Conclusion: The single anaerobic effort induced an increase in asprosin and irisin secretion while reducing leptin secretion in women. Adipocytokine concentration changes are inter-related. Regardless of sex, anaerobic efforts induce anti-inflammatory effects.