Effects of aerobic training on leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels in obese and lean men

Introduction: Obesity results in some diseases such as of atherosclerosis diabetic and thereforeinfluence on the immune system, greatly. Given the undeniable role of sport in general health, the aim ofthis present study was to assay the effects of regular exercise on serum levels of immunoregulators factors(leptin, tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α) and interleukin-6) in obese and lean men.Material and methods: 37 male subjects divided two groups of obese and lean with body compositionanalyzer. Blood samples were taken 48 h before starting the aerobic training program. Then, both groupsperformed the aerobic training program included running with 65-85% of individual maximum heart rateon treadmill for 3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session and 2 consecutive months. Then anotherblood sample was taken following the training period. Serum levels of leptin, TNF- α and interleukin-6of all subjects before and after the training period were measured using standard biochemical methodsfrom all the subjects and all the parameters were measured in both groups again.Results: Our results showed that the aerobic training resulted in a significant decrease in leptin levelsin obese (p=0.000) and non obese (p=0.004) peoples and also a significant decrease in TNF- α (p=0.042)in lean people. However, the aerobic training had no significant influence in the levels of interleukin-6 inboth groups.Conclusion: The results showed that regular and light aerobic exercises could decrase leptin levels inboth obese and lean men, but have differential effects on levels of TNF- α in both groups. These effectsmay influence functions of immune system and metabolism in obese and lean men in a different way