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. 2024 Mar 4;16(1):63.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-00852-2.

Carbohydrate ingestion does not suppress increases in fatty acid-binding protein 4 concentrations post-acute aerobic exercise in healthy men: a randomized crossover study

Shigeharu Numao  1 , Ryota Uchida  2 , Takashi Kurosaki  2 , Masaki Nakagaichi  2
Affiliations

Carbohydrate ingestion does not suppress increases in fatty acid-binding protein 4 concentrations post-acute aerobic exercise in healthy men: a randomized crossover study

Shigeharu Numao et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) has been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Acute aerobic exercise increases circulating FABP4 concentrations, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of inhibition of lipolysis by carbohydrate ingestion on circulating FABP4 concentrations during and after acute aerobic exercise in healthy men.

Methods: Men aged between 20 and 40, with no exercise habits and no metabolic diseases, were recruited. In a randomized crossover design, the participants underwent a carbohydrate-ingestion exercise (CE) and a fasted exercise (FE) trial. The CE trial consisted of 40-min acute aerobic exercise with ingestion of carbohydrates and 60-min bed rest. The FE trial followed the same protocol as the CE trial but without carbohydrate ingestion. Venous blood samples were collected to measure hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and insulin) metabolites (glycerol, free fatty acids, and glucose), and FABP4 concentrations. Ventilation and gas exchange were also collected to measure substrate oxidation.

Results: Thirteen healthy men participated in and completed both the CE and FE trials. The insulin concentration was more than 4 times higher in the CE trial than in the FE trial (p < 0.004, effect size [ES] > 2.00). Free fatty acid concentrations were more than 4 times lower in the CE trial than in the FE trial (p < 0.02, ES > 2.04). However, there was no significant difference in the changes in circulating FABP4 concentrations between the CE and FE trials (p = 0.108), which did not change during aerobic exercise and significantly increased post-aerobic exercise in both trials (p < 0.002, ES > 1.212). Changes in FABP4 concentrations following aerobic exercise were not significantly correlated with changes in glycerol or free fatty acid concentrations during aerobic exercise.

Conclusions: The results suggest that suppression of lipolysis and elevation of insulin are not strongly involved in increases in FABP4 secretion following acute aerobic exercise.

Keywords: Carbohydrate; Fatty acid binding protein; Free fatty acids; Insulin; Lipolysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consolidated standards of reporting trials flow diagram for crossover trials. CE,a carbohydrate ingestion exercise trial; FE, a fasted exercise trial
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Experimental protocol
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Lipolytic-related hormone and metabolite concentration response in the CE and FE trials (A: adrenaline, B: noradrenaline, C: glycerol, and D: FFA). Values are shown as mean ± SE. Solid circles and open circles are presented as the CE, and FE trials, respectively. * vs. before EX, † vs. FE trial at the same timepoint
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Glucose-related hormone and metabolite concentration response in the CE and FE trials (A: insulin, and B: glucose). Values are shown as mean ± SE. Solid circles and open circles are presented as the CE, and FE trials, respectively. * vs. before EX, † vs. FE trial at the same timepoint
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
FABP4 concentration response in the CE and FE trials. Values are shown as mean ± SE. Solid circles and open circles are presented as the CE, and FE trials, respectively. ‡ vs. baseline, before EX, and after EX.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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