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Effects of prolonged exercise on agouti-related protein: a pilot study

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Abstract

Agouti-related protein (AgRP), is a signaling peptide that affects feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, and has also been shown to stimulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 90 min of treadmill exercise on circulating AgRP concentrations and the relationship of AgRP responses to cortisol. Seven young males completed a preliminary trial followed by counterbalanced experimental and control trials 4–5 weeks apart. The experimental trial began 2.5 h after consumption of a standard nutrient beverage and consisted of treadmill exercise at 60 % of previously determined VO2max for 90 min. Blood samples were collected before (−30 and 0 min), during (18, 36, 54, 72, and 90 min), and following exercise (20, 40, and 60 min). Blood samples were collected in a resting, control trial at the same time points as the experimental trial. Plasma lactate was significantly higher in the exercise than the control trial. Although AgRP increased from 18 min of exercise to peak at 90 min, these increases were not significantly different than values in the control trial. Cortisol responses during the exercise trial were significantly higher than the control trial. AgRP concentrations during early exercise were positively correlated with cortisol levels later in recovery. The obtained data suggest that AgRP concentrations during prolonged steady-state exercise are associated with subsequent cortisol increases, but further study is required to determine whether there is a causal effect.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the subjects for their participation in the study. We also wish to thank Tahir Khan for his assistance in the laboratory.

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.

Funding

This work was supported by Faculty Development Grants (grant number 1385, 2007–2008 and grant number 60053, 2008–2009) from the Center for Faculty Excellence, Southeastern Louisiana University, and by a Conduits Program Grant (grant number 52301, 2008–2009) from the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU10845, Hammond, LA, 70402, USA

    Robert R. Kraemer, Michelle Francois & Bovorn Sirikul

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Odessa, TX, 79763, USA

    V. Daniel Castracane

  3. Exercise Biochemistry Division, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mazandran University, Babolsar, Iran

    Abbass Ghanbari-Niaki

  4. Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU10736, Hammond, LA, 70402, USA

    Roldán A. Valverde

Authors
  1. Robert R. Kraemer
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  2. V. Daniel Castracane
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  3. Michelle Francois
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  4. Abbass Ghanbari-Niaki
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  5. Bovorn Sirikul
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  6. Roldán A. Valverde
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Correspondence to Robert R. Kraemer.

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Kraemer, R.R., Castracane, V.D., Francois, M. et al. Effects of prolonged exercise on agouti-related protein: a pilot study. Endocrine 42, 436–441 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-012-9663-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-012-9663-6

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