The effect of 12 weeks of combined training (resistance and aerobic) on serum levels of asprosin, IL-15, and diabetes-related indices in men with abdominal obesity

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Master's student in sports physiology and health, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

2 Education and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

3 Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

Abstract

It has been reported that asprosin (ASP) levels are pathologically increased in obesity and metabolic diseases, and interleukin-15 (IL-15) levels are effective in modulating it. However, their mechanisms in response to resistance and aerobic exercise training in people with abdominal obesity have not been well defined. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of 12 weeks of combined training on serum levels of asprosin, IL-15, and diabetes-related indices in men with abdominal obesity.Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. 24 middle-aged men with abdominal obesity participated in this study and were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (12 people in each group). The resistance and aerobic training program was started for 12 weeks and three days a week with an intensity of 55% of one repetition maximum and 50% of maximum heart rate, respectively, and increased by 5% every two weeks. Before and after training, the levels of asprosin, IL-15, and effective indicators in diabetes were measured. Analysis of covariance and paired t-test were used at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: The results of the between-group analysis of covariance showed that IL-15 levels (P=0.001, F=39.54) were significantly increased in the experimental group. The levels of asprosin (P=0.001, F=103.02), glucose (P=0.001, F=0.65), insulin (P=0.001, F=215) and insulin resistance (P=0.001, F=153.28) were significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. Paired t-test results also showed a significant increase in IL-15 (P=0.004, 3.87%), a significant decrease in asprosin (P=0.01, -5.63%), glucose (P=0.001, -16.7%), insulin (P=0.001, -18.4%), and insulin resistance (P=0.001, -31.01%) in response to the exercise group. Conclusion: Exercise training probably has a positive effect on ASP and IL-15 in people with abdominal obesity by improving insulin sensitivity and body composition through regulating inflammatory responses.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 December 2025
  • Receive Date: 31 July 2025
  • Revise Date: 04 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 12 December 2025