Circulating and Tissue Concentrations of Fetuin-A in response to sugar solution; protective effects of resistance exercise

Background and Purpose Fetuin-A, a hepatokine synthesized by hepatocytes and secreted into the bloodstream, plays a significant role in the metaboregulatory process in different metabolic conditions; therefore, the present study aims to compare different modalities of resistance training on serum and tissue levels of fetuin-A, as well as serum glucose levels. Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats (aged 6–8 weeks) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8/group): (1) Normal Control (NC), (2) Sugar Control (SC), (3) Constant Load Resistance Training (CLRT), and (4) Progressive Resistance Training (PRT). The training groups implemented the PRT or CLRT protocol—consisting of ladder climbing with weights attached to the tail — three times per week for 8 weeks, followed by administration of sugar solution (10% w/v diluted by tap water) as ad libitum among intervention groups (SC, CLRT, and PRT) from the beginning to week 16th. At the end of the intervention, serum glucose levels as well as serum and hepatic concentrations of fetuin-A were measured. Results Chronic sugar solution-10% w/v consumption significantly increased serum glucose levels compared to the NC group ( P  < 0.001). The serum level of fetuin-A was significantly increased in response to the PRT protocol compared to the SC group ( P  = 0.03) and also the CLRT group ( P  = 0.038); however, tissue levels remain unchanged ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions Chronic implementation of PRT more efficiently alleviated the adverse effects of sucrose consumption, as well as up-regulation of fetuin-A circulating levels, which is suggested to be affected as a function of exercise intensity.