Comparison of carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and acute serum adropin and nitric oxide response after exercise in athletes and non-athletes

Adropin is a peptide hormone that regulates potential cardiovascular function and plays a protective role in the development of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to compare the effect of carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and acute effect of one-session exercise on serum adropin and nitric oxide  (NO) in athlete and non-athlete participants.

Materials and methods :

This study was carried out in a quasi-experimental design. 12 athlete and 11 non-athlete participants were selected by convenience sampling. After an assessment of CIMT, blood samples were taken from participants for evaluation of adropin and nitric oxide before intervention. Then Bruce test were used and again after test, blood samples were taken for evaluation of blood markers. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of covariance and Pearson correlation at significant levels of P≤0.05.

There was a significant difference between the groups in the CIMT variable and was higher in non-athlete participants (P=0.002). After the intervention, the levels of adropin in the athletes group were significantly increased (P=0.017). After the intervention, NO levels increased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in serum adropin and NO levels between non-athletes and athletes (P <0.05). A significant positive relationship was observed between changes of adropin and NO (P=0.001, r=0.794).

Prolonged exercise training reduced CIMT in athletes. Adropin and NO levels were increased more in athletes than non-athlete subjects after one session of exercise. long-term adaptations to exercise training leads to a greater increase in vascular biomarkers in athletes than in non-athletes after an acute physical activity.