Effects of Obesity and Intensity of Exercise on Ghrelin Levels

Summary

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Description

Obesity increases the risk of disease. We will examine the impact of moderate and high intensity exercise on the hormone ghrelin and its two forms, acyl (AG) and des-acyl (DAG), which are suggested to influence appetite, glucose metabolism and vascular function. We will determine whether differentia...

Obesity increases the risk of disease. We will examine the impact of moderate and high intensity exercise on the hormone ghrelin and its two forms, acyl (AG) and des-acyl (DAG), which are suggested to influence appetite, glucose metabolism and vascular function. We will determine whether differential changes in total ghrelin, AG and DAG are associated with changes in appetite, insulin sensitivity and vascular function. Subjects will be categorized as; either lean or obese (BMI), and either normal fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerant (oral glucose tolerance test). Each participant will undergo body composition analysis, and a maximal treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake. Subjects will then complete three randomly assigned exercise sessions: a) control (rest), (b) moderate intensity exercise and, (c) high intensity exercise. Blood sampling and measures of vascular function will occur before, during and after each study. An ANOVA with repeated measures and logistic regression analyses will examine the differential impact of exercise intensity on the outcome measures. Data collected will be used to develop a precision exercise approach to treat obesity and abnormal glucose metabolism for a NIH grant submission. This project is related to the UVa emphasis in precision medicine.

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