Lipocalin-2: Response to a Progressive Treadmill Protocol in Obese and Normal-weight Men

PURPOSE: Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2), a newer adipocyte-secreted acute phase protein, was recently reported to be correlated with potential effects on obesity and inflammation. The reaction of this protein to progressive exercise has not been evaluated yet. This study was designed to compare the serum Lcn2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels after participating in an acute bout of treadmill protocol in obese and normal-weight men. METHODS: Nine obese (aged: 43.2±4.6 yrs and body mass index (BMI): 31.4±1.6 kg/m(2)) and 9 normal-weight (aged: 42.9±4.4 yrs and BMI: 23.03±1.7 kg/m(2); mean ± SD) sedentary men selected randomly from volunteers performed a single bout of exercise according to the treadmill Bruce protocol. RESULTS: Before the exercise, Lcn2 level was higher in obese than normal-weight individuals (P<0.05). A significant increase in Lcn2, hs-CRP, white blood cells (WBC) and insulin resistance index was observed after the exercise in both groups (P<0.05). The level of Lcn2, hs-CRP and WBC increase was more significant in obese individuals than normal-weight subjects after the exercise (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the levels of Lcn2 and other inflammatory markers elevated in obese and normal-weight men after participating in an exhaustive progressive exercise. These changes in obese men were considerable.