Determination of the effects of submaximal exercises on alamandine, myonectin, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and irisin in women with different body mass indexes and diabetes

This study aims to comprehensively investigate the effects of submaximal exercise on the biomarkers alamandine, myonectin, HIF-1α, and irisin in women with varying body mass indexes (BMI) and diabetes, while also evaluating how these biomarkers influence body composition and diabetes-related outcomes. The increasing prevalence of obesity and obesity-related diabetes, particularly among women in Turkey compared to men, has influenced the focus of this study on female participants. Within this scope, the study was conducted on 40 voluntary women attending a fully equipped sports complex in the city center of Kars, Turkey. Participants were divided into four groups based on BMI classification, along with an additional group comprising women with diabetes. All groups underwent an exercise protocol designed to induce submaximal exertion for a period of eight weeks, three times per week, on alternate days. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the physiological effects of exercise—a therapeutic intervention for both obesity and diabetes—on biomarkers such as insulin, myonectin, HIF-1α, and irisin in underweight, normal-weight, overweight, obese, and diabetic women. In light of the escalating public health challenges posed by obesity and diabetes, this study provides valuable insights into the biochemical and anthropometric adaptations elicited by exercise. The study was designed as a pre- and post-test model, in which blood samples and anthropometric measurements were collected at baseline (pre-test). Both pre- and post-test blood samples were stored at -80°C. The obtained blood samples were analyzed for insulin, myonectin (CTRP15), HIF-1α, and irisin using the ELISA method. Upon analysis, no statistically significant changes were observed in mean myonectin levels between the initial and follow-up measurements in underweight, overweight, obese, and diabetic women (p>0.05). In contrast, the normal-weight group exhibited a statistically significant reduction in mean myonectin levels following the intervention (p<0.05). While no statistically significant changes were observed in mean HIF-1α levels between pre- and post-tests across all groups (p> 0.05), post-test levels were significantly increased in diabetic women compared to their underweight counterparts (p <0.05). In the analysis of irisin hormone levels, a statistically significant increase was observed in the post-test mean value for all participants (p<0.05). Analysis of insulin and glucose parameters revealed statistically significant reductions in post-test mean values across all groups except the underweight group (p<0.05). In conclusion, submaximal resistance exercise is considered to have beneficial effects on the management and improvement of obesity and diabetes. Exercise may play a protective role in reducing elevated insulin and glucose levels, improving anthropometric structure, regulating insulin resistance, and increasing irisin levels, which is effective in lipid metabolism.