Acylation-stimulating protein: effect of acute exercise and endurance training.
BACKGROUND
Acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipocyte-derived protein that contributes to fatty acid clearance. Regular exercise training improves fatty acid handling.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of acute exercise and short-term endurance training on ASP levels.


METHODS
Eight untrained men (age: 23.5+/-3.4 y; maximal power output (Wmax): 3.7+/-0.6 W/kg body weight).


METHODS
Subjects were trained for 2 weeks. Before and after training, blood was sampled during a 3-h exercise test, and insulin sensitivity was assessed by an insulin tolerance test.


RESULTS
Before training, ASP levels decreased during exercise (from 17.9+/-2.9 to 15.5+/-3.7 nmol/l at t=0 vs 180, P<0.05). Endurance training decreased fasting ASP levels significantly (17.9+/-2.9 vs 13.4+/-2.3 nmol/l pre- and post-training, P<0.001). Interestingly, after 2 weeks of endurance training, ASP levels tended to increase during exercise (from 13.4+/-2.3 to 17.2+/-4.5 nmol/l at t=0 vs 180, P=0.09). Baseline ASP levels correlated negatively with insulin sensitivity both before (r=-0.86, P<0.01) and after training (r=-0.82, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term endurance training reduces baseline ASP levels. These data fit with the hypothesis that reduced ASP levels indicate improved ASP sensitivity.
Schrauwen
P
P
Department of Human Biology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, The Netherlands. p.schrauwen@hb.unimaas.nl
Hesselink
M K C
MK
Jain
M
M
Cianflone
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005080:Exercise Test; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; C044541:complement C3a, des-Arg-(77)-; D015926:Complement C3a