Effects of a three-month combined exercise programme on fibroblast growth factor 21 and fetuin-A levels and arterial stiffness in obese women

Objective We examined the relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) reflecting arterial stiffness and the levels of novel hepatokines fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and fetuin-A. In addition, we evaluated the effect of a 3-month combined aerobic and resistance exercise programme on FGF21 and fetuin-A levels as well as arterial stiffness in obese women. Methods Forty nondiabetic, obese women (body mass index = 27.6 +/- 2.4 kg/m(2)) were included in the study and were compared before and after a 3-month exercise programme, which was composed 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 a week. All exercise sessions were supervised by a professional exercise physiologist. Results At baseline, baPWV levels were correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose and serum FGF21 levels. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis using baPWV as a dependent variable, baPWV levels were associated with age, BMI, SBP, FGF21 and fetuin-A levels (R-2 = 0.744). After the exercise programme, BMI, waist circumference, SBP, diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels were significantly decreased. Moreover, baPWV values were significantly improved (P < 0.001) along with modest decrease in FGF21 levels (P = 0.043). However, fetuin-A levels were not changed significantly (P = 0.202). Conclusions A 3-month combined exercise programme decreases the FGF21 levels as well as arterial stiffness in obese Korean women.