Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Response to Glucose Challenge in Overweight and Obese Men: A Pilot Study

Background and study purpose Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) is a liver-derived hormone that lowers blood glucose. Although aerobic exercise training also lowers blood glucose, its effect on circulating FGF21levels remains obscure. This study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic exercise training on serum FGF21 levels in overweight and obese men. Methods A total of 14 overweight/obese men were included in the analyses. Participants attended supervised aerobic exercise training for 12 weeks (three times per week) and completed the standard oral glucose tolerance test pre- and post-exercise training. Plasma glucose, serum insulin, and serum FGF21 levels were measured at fasting and 60 and 120 min after glucose loading. Results The exercise training reduced plasma glucose and serum FGF21 levels during glucose loading (p <0.05). The change in the area under the curve of plasma glucose was positively correlated with that in the area under the curve of serum FGF21 (r _s =0.569, p =0.034). Conclusion Lowering postprandial circulating FGF21 levels may be associated with the improved glucose tolerance induced by habitual aerobic exercise in overweight and obese men.