Metabolomics Approach in the Investigation of Metabolic Changes in Obese Men after 24 Weeks of Combined Training

Abstract

Obesity is associated with comorbidities related to metabolic disorders due to excess of adipose tissue. Physical exercise has a major role in the prevention of obesity. Combined training (CT), in particular, has been shown to improve markers of health. In this study, we used ¹H NMR-based metabolomics to investigate changes in the metabolism of obese men after 24 weeks of CT. Twenty-two obese (body mass index 31 ± 1.4 kg/m²), middle-aged men (48.2 ± 6.1 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, n = 11) or CT group (n = 11). The CT was performed three times a week (resistance and aerobic training) for 24 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after experimental period. There was an improvement in body composition and physical fitness indices after CT training. Multivariate PCA and PLS-DA models showed a distinct separation between groups. Twenty metabolites with importance for projection (VIP) >1.0 were identified, and four were classified as best discriminators (tyrosine, 2-oxoisocaproate, histidine, pyruvate). Some metabolites were correlated with strength, VO₂ peak, fat and lean body mass, waist circumference, and insulin. In conclusion, 24 weeks of CT was effective for functional improvements and metabolic changes in obese middle-aged men.

Keywords: biomarkers; metabolic profile; metabolomics; nuclear magnetic resonance; obesity; physical exercise.