Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise-Induced Redox Signaling Is Associated with Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Middle-Aged Men

Abstract

Background: Obesity and aging are associated with increased oxidative stress, activation of stress and mitogen activated protein kinases (SAPK), and the development of insulin resistance and metabolic disease. In contrast, acute exercise also increases oxidative stress and SAPK signaling, yet is reported to enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of metabolic disease. This study explored this paradox by investigating the effect of a single session of high-intensity interval-exercise (HIIE) on redox status, muscle SAPK and insulin protein signaling in eleven middle-aged obese men.Methods: Participants completed a 2 h hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp at rest, and 60 min after HIIE (4 × 4 mins at 95% HRpeak; 2 min recovery periods), separated by 1–3 weeks.Results: Irrespective of exercise-induced changes to redox status, insulin stimulation both at rest and after HIIE similarly increased plasma superoxide dismutase activity, plasma catalase activity, and skeletal muscle 4-HNE; and significantly decreased plasma TBARS and hydrogen peroxide. The SAPK signaling pathways of p38 MAPK, NF-κB p65, and JNK, and the distal insulin signaling protein AS160Ser588, were activated with insulin stimulation at rest and to a greater extent with insulin stimulation after a prior bout of HIIE. Higher insulin sensitivity after HIIE was associated with higher insulin-stimulated SOD activity, JNK, p38 MAPK and NF-κB phosphorylation (r = 0.63, r = 0.71, r = 0.72, r = 0.71; p < 0.05, respectively).Conclusion:These findings support a role for redox homeostasis and SAPK signaling in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake which may contribute to the enhancement of insulin sensitivity in obese men 3 h after HIIE.

Acute and chronic effects of High Intensity Interval Training on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers of postmenopausal obese women

“…Growing evidences suggest that exercise‐induced low‐to‐moderate ROS elevations exerts pivotal role for positive physiological adaptations . Moreover, previous data demonstrated that single HIIE enhances total and enzymatic antioxidant activities after the bout induced by acute oxidative damage . Thus, ROS‐signaling induced by HIIE seems to be controlled by changes in antioxidant system that contributes to exercise adaptations.…”

Acute Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise and Continuous Moderate-Intensity Exercise Elicit a Similar Improvement in 24-h Glycemic Control in Overweight and Obese Adults

“…Excess ROS activate stress and mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathways in insulin sensitive tissues contributing to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (Wright et al, 2006; Tiganis, 2011). However, research has also highlighted exercise-induced ROS as a prominent moderator of glycemic control (Ristow et al, 2009; Trewin et al, 2015; Parker et al, 2016). …”

“…Exercise-induced oxidative stress and subsequent redox-sensitive protein signaling facilitate many of the health benefits of acute and regular exercise (Ristow et al, 2009; Radak et al, 2013; Trewin et al, 2015; Parker et al, 2016). Furthermore, many of the metabolic health benefits of higher-intensity exercise occur during the delayed exercise recovery period (i.e., the day after exercise), potentially through alterations in redox status (Tyldum et al, 2009; Gabriel et al, 2012).…”

Environmental/lifestyle factors in the pathogenesis and prevention of type 2 diabetes

“…All types of leisure time physical activities as well as occupational physical activity were found to be inversely associated with diabetes risk [41, 42]. The beneficial effect of exercise on insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control (by continuous glucose measurement) has also been demonstrated in controlled trials in non-diabetic individuals [43, 44]. Reallocation of 30 min of sedentary time into moderate to vigorous physical activity was associated with a 15% difference in HOMA-defined insulin sensitivity [45].…”