Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Paper
  • Published:

The effect of exercise training on β-adrenergic stimulation of fat metabolism in obese men

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 16–23 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vivo effect of exercise training at high and low intensity on β-adrenergic stimulated fat metabolism in obese men at rest.

METHOD: Twenty-three obese, healthy subjects were randomly divided in a low-intensity exercise training program (40% VO2max, n=7), a high-intensity exercise training program (70% VO2max; n=8), or a non-exercising control group (n=8). The exercise training program lasted for 12 weeks with a training frequency of 3 times per week. Before and after the intervention body composition and maximal aerobic capacity were measured as well as fat metabolism at rest and during β-adrenergic stimulation by isoprenaline. For comparison, six lean subjects served as a control group. They participated in a low-intensity exercise training program and underwent the same measurements as the obese subjects.

RESULTS: Relative fat oxidation decreased significantly during infusion of an increasing dose of isoprenaline in the obese low-intensity and high-intensity exercise training groups as well as in the lean group (P<0.01). Exercise training failed to influence the effect of β-adrenergic stimulation on relative fat oxidation in obese men at both intensities and in lean men. In addition, β-adrenergic-mediated lipolysis did not seem to be different after low intensity exercise training in lean and obese men. Lipolysis might be increased after high-intensity exercise training in obese men.

CONCLUSION: Low- and high-intensity exercise training in obese men failed to affect β-adrenergic mediated relative fat oxidation in vivo. β-Adrenergic-mediated lipolysis might be increased in obese men after HI exercise training only. The effect of low-intensity exercise training on β-adrenergic-mediated fat metabolism was similar in lean and obese men.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Blaak EE, Van Baak MA, Kemerink GJ, Pakbiers MT, Heidendal GA, Saris WH . Beta-adrenergic stimulation of energy expenditure and forearm skeletal muscle metabolism in lean and obese men Am J Physiol 1994 267: E306–315.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Schiffelers SLH, Saris WHM, Van Baak MA . β2-Adrenoceptor mediated lipolysis and lipid oxidation are reduced in obese men Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1998 22: S75.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Mauriège P, Després JP, Prud'homme D, Pouliot MC, Marcotte M, Tremblay A et al. Regional variation in adipose tissue lipolysis in lean and obese men J Lipid Res 1991 32: 1625–1633.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Reynisdottir S, Wahrenberg H, Carlstrom K, Rossner S, Arner P . Catecholamine resistance in fat cells of women with upper-body obesity due to decreased expression of beta 2-adrenoceptors Diabetologia 1994 37: 428–435.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Connacher AA, Bennet WM, Jung RT, Bier DM, Smith CC, Scrimgeour CM, Rennie MJ . Effect of adrenaline infusion on fatty acid and glucose turnover in lean and obese human subjects in the post-absorptive and fed states Clin Sci Colch 1991 81: 635–644.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Webber J, Taylor J, Greathead H, Dawson J, Buttery PJ, Macdonald IA . A comparison of the thermogenic, metabolic and haemodynamic responses to infused adrenaline in lean and obese subjects Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1994 18: 717–724.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Colberg SR, Simoneau JA, Thaete FL, Kelley DE . Skeletal muscle utilization of free fatty acids in women with visceral obesity J Clin Invest 1995 95: 1846–1853.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Tataranni PA, Christin L, Snitker S, Paolisso G, Ravussin E . Pima Indian males have lower beta-adrenergic sensitivity than Caucasian males J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998 83: 1260–1263.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Snitker S, Hellmér J, Boschmann M, Monroe MB, Ravussin E . Whole body fat oxidation is related to in situ adipose tissue lipolytic response to isoproterenol in males Am J Physiol 1998 275: E400–404.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Romijn JA, Klein S, Coyle EF, Sidossis LS, Wolfe RR . Strenuous endurance training increases lipolysis and triglyceride-fatty acid cycling at rest J Appl Physiol 1993 75: 108–113.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Calles-Escandón J, Goran MI, O'Connell M, Nair KS, Danforth E, Jr . Exercise increases fat oxidation at rest unrelated to changes in energy balance or lipolysis Am J Physiol 1996 270: E1009–1014.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kiens B, Essen Gustavsson B, Christensen NJ, Saltin B . Skeletal muscle substrate utilization during submaximal exercise in man: effect of endurance training J Physiol Lond 1993 469: 459–478.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Turcotte LP, Richter EA, Kiens B . Increased plasma FFA uptake and oxidation during prolonged exercise in trained vs untrained humans Am J Physiol 1992 262: E791–799.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Poehlman ET, Gardner AW, Arciero PJ, Goran MI, Calles Escandon J . Effects of endurance training on total fat oxidation in elderly persons J Appl Physiol 1994 76: 2281–2287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Friedlander AL, Casazza GA, Horning MA, Buddinger TF, Brooks GA . Effects of exercise intensity and training on lipid metabolism in young women Am J Physiol 1998 275: E853–863.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Leijssen DPC, Saris WHM, Van Baak MA . The effect of exercise training at different intensities on repiratory exchange ratio (RER) of obese men. [Abstract] Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1998 22 (Suppl): S283.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Rivière D, Crampes F, Beauville M, Garrigues M . Lipolytic response of fat cells to catecholamines in sedentary and exercise-trained women J Appl Physiol 1989 66: 330–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Tremblay A, Conveney S, Després JP, Nadeau A, Prud'homme D . Increased resting metabolic rate and lipid oxidation in exercise-trained individuals: evidence for a role of β-adrenergic stimulation Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1992 70: 1342–1347.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Després JP, Bouchard C, Savard R, Tremblay A, Marcotte M, Theriault G . Level of physical fitness and adipocyte lipolysis in humans J Appl Physiol 1984 56: 1157–1161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Crampes F, Beauville M, Rivière D, Garrigues M . Effect of physical training in humans on the response of isolated fat cells to epinephrine J Appl Physiol 1986 61: 25–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Crampes F, Rivière D, Beauville M, Marceron M, Garrigues M . Lipolytic response of adipocytes to epinephrine in sedentary and exercise-trained subjects: sex-related differences Eur J Appl Physiol 1989 59: 249–255.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Mauriège P, Prud'homme D, Marcotte M, Yoshioka M, Tremblay A, Després JP . Regional differences in adipose tissue metabolism between sedentary and endurance-trained women Am J Physiol 1997 273: E497–E506.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Stallknecht B, Simonsen L, Bülow J, Vinten J, Galbo H . Effect of training on epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis determined by microdialysis in human adipose tissue Am J Physiol 1995 269: E1059–1066.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. De Glisezinski I, Crampes F, Harant I, Berlan M, Hejnova J, Langin D, Riviere D, Stich V . Endurance training changes in lipolytic responsiveness of obese adipose tissue Am J Physiol 1998 275: E951–E956.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Stich V, de Glisezinski I, Galitzky J, Hejnova J, Crampes F, Rivière D, Berlan M . Endurance training increases the beta-adrenergic lipolytic response in subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese subjects Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999 23: 374–381.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Siri WE . The gross composition of the body Adv Biol Med Physiol 1956 4: 239–280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Weir JB . New methods for calculating metabolic rate with special reference to protein metabolism J Physiol 1949 109: 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Gutmann I, Wahlefeld AW . L-(+)-Lactate, determination with lactate dehydrogenase and NAD. In: Methods in Enzymatic Analysis 2nd edn Academic Press: New York 1974 pp 1464–1468.

  29. Smedes F, Kraak JC, Poppe H . Simple and fast solvent extraction system for selective and quantitative isolation of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine from plasma and urine J Chromatogr 1982 231: 25–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Blaak EE, Saris WH, Wolffenbuttel BH . Substrate utilization and thermogenic responses to beta-adrenergic stimulation in obese subjects with NIDDM Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999 23: 411–418.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Després JP, Bouchard C, Savard R, Tremblay A, Marcotte M, Theriault G . Effects of exercise-training and detraining on fat cell lipolysis in men and women Eur J Appl Physiol 1984 53: 25–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lillioja S, Foley J, Bogardus C, Mott D, Howard BV . Free fatty acid metabolism and obesity in man: in vivo in vitro comparisons Metabolism 1986 35: 505–514.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Jos Stegen and Joan Senden for analytical assistance and Judith Graat and Vanessa Blokdijk for assistance during the experiments. Furthermore we thank Lode BV (Groningen, The Netherlands) for providing electromagnetically braked cycles. This work was supported by a grant from the Netherlands Heart Foundation (no. 95040).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Biology, Nutrition, Toxicology and Environmental Research Institute (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    DPC van Aggel-Leijssen, WHM Saris, M Homan & MA van Baak

Authors
  1. DPC van Aggel-Leijssen
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. WHM Saris
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M Homan
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. MA van Baak
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to DPC van Aggel-Leijssen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Aggel-Leijssen, D., Saris, W., Homan, M. et al. The effect of exercise training on β-adrenergic stimulation of fat metabolism in obese men. Int J Obes 25, 16–23 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801470

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801470

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links