The correlation of resistance exercise-induced myostatin with insulin resistance and plasma cytokines in healthy young men.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to examine the correlation of resistance exercise (RE)-induced myostatin (MSTN) with insulin resistance and plasma cytokines in healthy young men.

METHODS

Twenty-four healthy men were randomly divided into RE (n = 12) and control (n = 12) group. After a session of familiarization, one repetition maximum (1-RM) was calculated. Circuit RE program involved 3 sets of 15 repetitions at 55 % of 1-RM. Blood samples were collected before and 24 h after the exercise. Paired t test, independent t test, and Pearson's correlation were used for analyzing data.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in plasma level of MSTN, glucose, insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and a significant increase in plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) were found in RE group 24 h post-exercise versus pre-exercise (p < 0.05). Furthermore, except plasma IL-10, a significant decrease in metabolic variables was found in RE group versus control group (p < 0.05). A significantly positive correlation of plasma MSTN with HOMA-IR and plasma IL-6 and a significantly negative correlation of plasma MSTN with plasma IL-10 were found in RE group versus control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that a circuit RE bout by reducing HOMA-IR and changing plasma cytokines (decreased IL-6 and increased IL-10) can decrease plasma level of MSTN in healthy young men. In other word, the beneficial effect of acute RE may be reflected by changes in MSTN in healthy young individuals.