Impact of an exercise program on acylcarnitines in obesity: a prospective controlled study

Abstract

BackgroundAcylcarnitine (AC) transport dysfunction into the mitochondrial matrix is one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The effect of an aerobic exercise (AE) program on this condition in obese subjects without DM is unclear.MethodsA prospective, randomized, longitudinal, interventional study in a University Research Center involved a 10-week AE program in 32 women without DM and a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 kg/m2. (Cases n = 17; Controls n = 15). The primary objective was to evaluate the influence of a controlled AE program on beta-oxidation according to modifications in short, medium, and long-chain ACs. Secondary objectives were to define the behavior of amino acids, and the correlation between these modifications with metabolic and anthropometric markers.ResultsThe proportion of dropouts was 17% and 6% in controls and cases, respectively. In cases there was a significant reduction in total carnitine (30.40 [95% CI 28.2 to 35.6]) vs. (29.4 [CI 95% 25.1 to 31.7]) p = 0.0008 and long-chain AC C14 (0.06 [95% CI 0.05 to 0.08]) vs. (0.05 [95% CI 0.05 to 0.09]) p = 0.005 and in C18 (0.31 [95% CI 0.27 to 0.45]) vs. (0.28 [95% CI 0.22 to 0.32]) p = 0.03. Free fatty acid levels remained without change during the study in both groups.ConclusionIn conclusion, a controlled 10-week AE program improved beta-oxidation by reducing long-chain ACs. This finding highlights the importance that AE might have in avoiding or reverting lipotoxicity, and in consequence, improving insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell functional reserve.

Acylcarnitines as markers of exercise‐associated fuel partitioning, xenometabolism, and potential signals to muscle afferent neurons

“…This was surprising considering the large body of evidence indicating that in the T2DM or insulin-resistant states, circulating levels of many acylcarnitines, including chain-shortened moieties, are higher (Genuth & Hoppel, 1981;Inokuchi et al 1995;Moder et al 2003;Koves et al 2008;Adams et al 2009;Mihalik et al 2010), and incomplete FAO is observed even in cultured myotubes derived from insulin-resistant models (Koves et al 2008;Aguer et al 2015). Our observations regarding no intervention effects on overnight-fasted, resting plasma medium-chain acylcarnitines are similar to the report of Rodríguez-Gutiérrez et al (2012), who studied the effects of a 10 week aerobic exercise intervention in overweight adults. Resting muscle biopsy results from trained (presumably exquisitely insulin-sensitive) individuals displayed increased, not decreased, acylcarnitine content across chain lengths (Huffman et al 2014).…”

“…Our observations regarding no intervention effects on overnight‐fasted, resting plasma medium‐chain acylcarnitines are similar to the report of Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez et al . (), who studied the effects of a 10 week aerobic exercise intervention in overweight adults. Resting muscle biopsy results from trained (presumably exquisitely insulin‐sensitive) individuals displayed increased, not decreased, acylcarnitine content across chain lengths (Huffman et al .…”

Serum Levels of Acylcarnitines Are Altered in Prediabetic Conditions

“…It has been shown previously that long-chain-acylcarnitines decreased after a long aerobic exercise program in obese women [29]. In contrast, medium-chain acylcarnitines were reported to be increased after moderate intensity exercise [30].…”

Review: Lipid biology in the periparturient dairy cow: contemporary perspectives

“…Suppressed adiponectin secretion in the multiparous transition cow could limit FA oxidation and glucose utilization in response to insulin. In support, enhanced plasma adiponectin levels are associated with reduced plasma concentrations of long-chain acylcarnitines (Rodríguez-Gutiérrez et al, 2012), and adiponectin decreases ceramide accumulation in obese mice (Holland et al, 2013). It deserves to be emphasized that serum adiponectin concentrations appear to increase after parturition in primiparous cows (Urh et al, 2019).…”