Physical exercise is known to influence hormonal mediators of appetite, but the effect
of short-term maximal intensity exercise on plasma levels of appetite hormones and cytokines has
been little studied. We investigated the effect of a 30 s Wingate Test, followed by a postprandial
period, on appetite sensations, food intake, and appetite hormones. Twenty-six physically active
young males rated their subjective feelings of hunger, prospective food consumption, and fatigue
on visual analogue scales at baseline, after exercise was completed, and during the postprandial
period. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of nesfatin-1, ghrelin, leptin, insulin,
pancreatic polypeptide (PP), human growth factor (hGH) and cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), irisin and
plasma lactate concentrations, at 30 min before exercise, immediately (210 s) after exercise, and 30 min
following a meal and at corresponding times in control sedentary males without ad libitum meal
intake, respectively. Appetite perceptions and food intake were decreased in response to exercise.
Plasma levels of irisin, IL-6, lactate, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin was increased after exercise and then it was
returned to postprandial/control period in both groups. A significant rise in plasma insulin, hGH and
PP levels after exercise was observed while meal intake potentiated this response. In conclusion,
an acute short-term fatiguing exercise can transiently suppress hunger sensations and food intake
in humans. We postulate that this physiological response involves exercise-induced alterations in
plasma hormones and the release of myokines such as irisin and IL-6, and supports the notion of
existence of the skeletal muscle-brain-gut axis. Nevertheless, the detailed relationship between
acute exercise releasing myokines, appetite sensations and impairment of this axis leading to several
diseases should be further examined