Plasma visfatin is increased after high-intensity exercise.

Background/aims: Visfatin is a newly characterized protein that is highly expressed in visceral adipose tissue and may play a role in insulin resistance. We investigated the effects of repeated short bouts of high-intensity exercise on plasma visfatin and related metabolic responses.

Methods: Six young, physically fit men (22.8 +/- 2.3 years; 78.5 +/- 2.3 kg; and body mass index 22.1 +/- 1.2) performed a single session of a running-based anaerobic sprint exercise (7 sets of 6 x 35 m every 10 s, with 1 min rest between sets). Venous blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 45 and 90 min after exercise to assess plasma visfatin, insulin, glucose, lactate and glutathione responses.

Results: After adjustment for postexercise changes in plasma volume, the data indicate a significant increase in plasma visfatin (12.5 +/- 2.0 vs. 26.6 +/- 3.9 ng/ml, p < 0.02), insulin (p < 0.05), and glucose (p < 0.002) concentrations, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (p < 0.02), immediately after the exercise session. At 45 min of recovery, all metabolic measures, with the exception of lactate, had returned to baseline levels.

Conclusion: The elevation in plasma visfatin, together with increased plasma glucose and insulin concentrations immediately after high-intensity exercise, may sensitize tissues for postexercise glucose uptake and glycogen restoration. Our results also support a temporary and early postexercise anorexigenic metabolic state.