Effects of a Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Program on C1q/TNF-Related Protein-3 (CTRP-3) and CTRP-5 Levels

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a combined exercise program on C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein (CTRP) 3 and CTRP-5 levels and novel adiponectin paralogs suggested to be links between metabolism and inflammation and to evaluate sex differences and association with cardiometabolic risk factors in humans with use of a newly developed ELISA. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study explored the implications of CTRP-3 and CTRP-5 on cardiometabolic parameters in 453 nondiabetic Korean adults. In addition, we evaluated the impact of a 3-month combined exercise program on CTRP-3 and CTRP-5 levels in 76 obese women. The exercise program consisted of 45 min of aerobic exercise at an intensity of 60–75% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate (300 kcal/session) and 20 min of resistance training (100 kcal/session) five times per week. RESULTS: Both CTRP-3 and CTRP-5 concentrations were significantly higher in women (P < 0.001) than in men (P = 0.030). In a multiple stepwise regression analysis, CTRP-3 levels were independently associated with age, sex, and triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, adiponectin, and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels (R(2) = 0.182). After 3 months of a combined exercise program, cardiometabolic risk factors, including components of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and RBP4 levels, decreased significantly. In particular, CTRP-3 levels decreased significantly (median [interquartile range] 444.3 [373.8–535.0] to 374.4 [297.2–435.9], P < 0.001), whereas CTRP-5 levels were slightly increased (34.1 [28.6–44.3] to 38.4 [29.8–55.1], P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: A 3-month combined exercise program significantly decreased CTRP-3 levels and modestly increased CTRP-5 levels in obese Korean women.