PMID 22267387

Research
All papers

Determination of inflammatory and prominent proteomic changes in plasma and adipose tissue after high-intensity intermittent training in overweight and obese males

Leggate M, Carter WG, Evans MJ, Vennard RA, Sribala-Sundaram S, Nimmo MA

Question

Does two weeks of high-intensity intermittent cycling alter inflammatory markers and prominent proteomic signals in plasma and adipose tissue of overweight and obese men?

Summary

In 12 healthy overweight or obese young men, a two-week supervised high-intensity interval cycling program improved VO2peak and waist circumference and changed several plasma and adipose inflammatory/proteomic markers. It did not change body mass, fasting glucose or insulin, OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity, or blood pressure.

Methodology

  • Healthy overweight and obese young men.
  • 12 participants.
  • Cycle ergometer.
  • Work intervals: 4 min.
  • Recovery: 2 min rest.
  • Intensity: About 85% VO2peak; workload adjusted to keep HR above 80% max.
  • About 58 min excluding any warm-up/cooldown not specified.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 2 weeks.
  • Single-arm pre-post mechanistic intervention
  • Inflammation, Proteomics, VO2peak, and Insulin sensitivity were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2peak

VO2peak increased after two weeks.

3.4 to 3.7 L/min, p=0.022; 38.4 to 41.6 ml/kg/min, p=0.037.

Improved

Waist

Waist circumference decreased while body mass and BMI did not change.

Waist 96.3 to 94.9 cm, p=0.029; body mass/BMI p>0.05.

Improved

Inflammation

Several plasma and adipose inflammatory markers changed, while others did not.

Plasma sIL-6R p=0.050, MCP-1 p=0.047, adiponectin p=0.041; adipose IL-6 p=0.036 and IL-6R p=0.037.

Mixed

Proteomics

Annexin A2 and FAS decreased in adipose tissue.

Annexin A2 -24%, p=0.046; FAS -23%, p=0.016.

Mixed

Glucose markers

Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity did not change.

Reported as no significant change.

No clear change

Insights

  • Short HIIT blocks can improve fitness before weight loss occurs.
  • Inflammatory/proteomic findings are mechanistic, not direct app outcome claims.
  • Ten 4-min intervals is a demanding protocol for novice users.

Limitations

  • No control group
  • Small sample
  • Men only
  • Short intervention
  • Surrogate biomarker outcomes
  • Proteomics limited to visually prominent changes

Safety

  • All sessions were completed.
  • No adverse events were reported.
  • Heart rate was monitored throughout training.