Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Exercise, via Reduced Leptin Levels, in Obese Women With Down Syndrome

Abstract

Recent studies have reported that obese young people with Down syndrome suffer from low-grade systemic inflammation. Whereas this condition may be improved in the general population by regular exercise, the problem has received no attention in the case of people with intellectual disability. Therefore, the authors' aim was to assess the influence of aerobic training on plasma adipokines in obese women with Down syndrome. Twenty obese young women with Down syndrome volunteered for this study, 11 of whom were randomly assigned to a 10-wk aerobic-training program. They attended 3 sessions/wk, which consisted of warm-up exercises followed by the main activity on a treadmill (30-40 min) at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate and ended with a cooling-down period. The control group included 9 women with Down syndrome matched for age, sex, and body-mass index. Fat-mass percentage and distribution were measured, and plasma adipokine levels (leptin and adiponectin) were assessed. In addition, each participant performed a maximal graded continuous treadmill exercise test. These parameters were assessed pre- and postintervention. Aerobic training produced a significant increase in participants' maximal oxygen uptake (20.2 ± 5.8 vs.23.7 ± 6.3 ml · kg-1 · min-1; p < .001), and plasma leptin levels were significantly reduced in the intervention group (54.2 ± 6.7 vs.45.7 ± 6.1 ng/ml; p = .026). Further significant correlations between plasma leptin and indices of obesity were found. In contrast, no significant changes were found in adiponectin levels (p > .05). None of the tested parameters changed in the control group. In conclusion, a 10-week training program reduced leptin levels in obese young women with Down syndrome.

The effects of physical activity interventions on preventing weight gain and the effects on body composition in young adults with intellectual disabilities: systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Evidence-based guidelines recommends that physical activity of 150-250 min per week with an energy equivalent of 1200 to 2000 kcal per week is effective to prevent weight gain (38). Only two studies included in this review met current physical activity recommendations (34,35). This is consistent with the available evidence in that adults with intellectual disabilities engage in low levels of physical activity (20,39).…”

“…Seven types of interventions were prescribed in the included studies, including a bicycle ergometer intervention and an aerobic training program ; strength and endurance training intervention ; conditioning and plyometric jumps training ; whole body vibration, which included isometric exercise ; an aerobic treadmill ergometer intervention and an aerobic rowing ergometer intervention . The mean duration of intervention programs was 15.3 weeks (range 10–21 weeks).…”

Co‐occurring medical conditions in adults with Down syndrome: A systematic review toward the development of health care guidelines

“…Obesity itself or its underlying causes appear to contribute to both reduced quality of life (QOL) and high medical complexity especially in the presence of sleep apnea, hepatobiliary disease, musculoskeletal degeneration, cardiopulmonary disease, metabolic disturbance, eating disorders, mood disorders, and reduced physical activity. Some of these relationships are beginning to be explored in youth and adults with DS but their potential interactions require a better understanding (de Winter et al, ; Foerste, Sabin, Reid, & Reddihough, ; Galli, Cimolin, Rigoldi, Condoluci, & Albertini, ; Ordonez et al, ; Ordonez, Rosety, & Rosety‐Rodriguez, ; Real de Asua, Parra, Costa, Moldenhauer, & Suarez, , ; Tenenbaum et al, ; Wee et al, ).…”

Resistance circuit training reduced inflammatory cytokines in a cohort of male adults with Down syndrome

“…Several studies have found aerobic training reduced fat mass in subjects with DS [ 9 , 21 , 22 ]. Results reported in adults with ID after the completion of a 20-week combined (aerobic + resistance) training program are also promising [ 23 ].…”

“…Promising results regarding the anti-inflammatory effect of exercise have been found in experimental [ 5 ] and human studies in healthy individuals [ 6 ] as well as in other clinical situations [ 7 , 8 ]. Furthermore, a 12-week aerobic training program reduced proinflammatory cytokines in obese female adults with Down syndrome (DS) [ 9 ]. However, there is a lack of evidence in the literature documenting whether resistance training can improve systemic inflammation in DS.…”