The Effect of Eight Weeks of Aerobic Exercise Training on Insulin Resistance, Lipid Profile and Oncostatin M in Overweight and Obese Women

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
shabnam akbarzadeh 1
Ramin AMIRSASAN 2
Javad vakili 3
1 PhD Student in Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
2 Professor in Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3 Associate Professor in Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
10.22089/spj.2025.17976.2368
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
Obesity is a complex, preventable, and multifactorial disorder associated with numerous chronic diseases. Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are common metabolic abnormalities in overweight individuals and may lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications. Recently, oncostatin M (OSM), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in adipose tissue dysfunction, particularly by suppressing the browning of white adipose tissue and impairing brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Elevated oncostatin M (OSM) in obesity has been linked to insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities, and chronic inflammation. Aerobic exercise exerts beneficial effects on energy expenditure, inflammatory responses, and metabolic homeostasis. This study aimed to examine the effect of an eight-week aerobic exercise training program on insulin resistance, lipid profile, and serum oncostatin M (OSM) levels in overweight and obese women. Understanding these interactions provides insight into the therapeutic potential of aerobic exercise training in modulating obesity-related inflammatory and metabolic disturbances.
Materials and Methods
This quasi-experimental study used a pre-test/post-test design with 25 non-athlete overweight and obese women (BMI ≥28 kg/m²) aged 30–45 years from Marand, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise training group (n=12) or a control group (n=13). Eligibility criteria included absence of chronic disease, no recent structured exercise or supplement/drug use, and not being menopausal. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Tabriz Ethics Committee. The intervention included an eight-week aerobic exercise training protocol, preceded by a two-week preparatory phase. Sessions were held three times per week, with intensity maintained between 60–70% heart rate reserve (HRR), monitored using a Polar heart rate monitor and Borg’s RPE scale. Each session comprised rhythmic aerobic movements (32-count blocks) with progressive complexity and duration. Fasting venous blood samples were collected before and 48 hours after the final session training to measure glucose, insulin, lipid profile (TG, TC, LDL, HDL, VLDL), and oncostatin M (OSM) (pg/ml). Body composition (weight, BMI, WHR, body fat percentage) and cardiovascular endurance (estimated VO₂max via Rockport test) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. HOMA-IR was calculated to determine insulin resistance. Biochemical analyses used standard kits and ELISA (PARS Azmoon, USA). Data analysis employed paired and independent t-tests in SPSS v27, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results
Aerobic exercise training resulted in significant improvements across multiple anthropometric, metabolic, and lipid profile parameters. Participants in the training group experienced a significant reduction in body weight (p<0.001) following the intervention. Similarly, body mass index (BMI) decreased markedly in this group (p<0.001). Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) also showed a significant decline post-training (p=0.001), and the percentage of body fat was reduced significantly (p<0.001). In contrast, the control group did not demonstrate any significant changes in these anthropometric measures over the same period. Regarding lipid profile, the training group exhibited notable improvements. Triglyceride levels (TG) decreased significantly after the intervention (p=0.007), while total cholesterol (TC) showed a marked reduction (p<0.001). Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also decreased significantly (p=0.001), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were reduced (p=0.007). Conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly following the training program (p=0.001). No significant alterations in lipid profile were observed in the control group. In addition, aerobic exercise training had a pronounced effect on glycemic and insulin-related parameters. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly in the training group (p<0.001). Similarly, fasting insulin concentrations were significantly reduced (p<0.001), and insulin resistance, as assessed by HOMA-IR, also showed a significant improvement (p<0.001). These metabolic benefits were not observed in the control group, highlighting the effectiveness of aerobic exercise training in improving both anthropometric and metabolic health markers. Again, the control group did not exhibit significant alterations in these markers. Most notably, serum levels of oncostatin M (OSM) significantly decreased in the aerobic training group (p<0.001), while control group levels remained statistically unchanged. Between-group comparisons confirmed significant differences in the change scores for all measured variables (p<0.05), except WHR. These findings support the role of aerobic exercise training in modulating systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunctions associated with obesity. The concurrent reduction in oncostatin M (OSM) and insulin resistance may suggest a mechanistic link between inflammatory cytokine regulation and metabolic improvement. As oncostatin M (OSM) impairs thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue and promotes energy imbalance, its reduction through exercise may reflect enhanced adipose tissue function and systemic energy regulation. The body composition and lipid profile improvements are consistent with prior research and reinforce the efficacy of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training as a feasible intervention. Given the low-cost and accessible nature of this intervention, these results are especially relevant for public health strategies targeting overweight and obese female populations.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that eight weeks of structured aerobic exercise training significantly improved body composition, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese women. Importantly, these metabolic benefits were accompanied by a significant decrease in circulating oncostatin M (OSM) levels, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory and adipose-tissue remodeling effect of aerobic exercise training. Given the established role of oncostatin M (OSM) in suppressing browning of white adipose tissue and promoting insulin resistance, the reduction in oncostatin M (OSM) following aerobic exercise training may partially mediate the observed health benefits. These findings offer a novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of exercise in obesity management. Further studies are warranted to explore the long-term effects and to confirm causal pathways. However, aerobic exercise emerges as a practical and effective non-pharmacological strategy to target inflammatory markers such as oncostatin M (OSM) and to combat obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions in women.
Key Words: Obesity; Oncostatin M; White Adipose Tissue; Brown Adipose Tissue; Aerobic Exercise Training.
Article Message
This study highlights the critical role of aerobic exercise training in modulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways in overweight and obese women. Specifically, it demonstrates that regular aerobic exercise training not only improves body composition and lipid profile but also significantly reduces serum levels of oncostatin M (OSM), a pro-inflammatory cytokine linked to insulin resistance. These findings provide a novel perspective on how structured physical activity can serve as an accessible, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological intervention for managing obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions. The observed reduction in oncostatin M (OSM) levels introduces a new avenue for understanding the molecular benefits of aerobic exercise training in obesity control.
Ethical Considerations
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and in full compliance with ethical considerations related to human research. Before the start of the study, all participants were informed of the objectives, methods, benefits, and potential risks of the study, and written informed consent was obtained from them. Participation in the study was voluntary, and participants were allowed to withdraw at any stage of the study without any negative consequences. The information collected from the subjects was confidential and used solely for research purposes. Also, this research was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Tabriz before implementation and has an ethics code number IR.TABRIZU.REC.1400.025 and a license from the Clinical Trials Registration Center with code IRCT20210810052133N1.
Authors’ Contributions
Conceptualization: Ramin Amirsasan
Data Collection: Shabnam Akbarzadeh
Data Analysis: Shabnam Akbarzadeh, & Javad Vakili
Manuscript Writing: Ramin Amirsasan & Javad Vakili & Shabnam Akbarzadeh
Review and Editing: Ramin Amirsasan
Responsible for Funding: Ramin Amirsasan
Literature Review: Shabnam Akbarzadeh
Project Manager: Ramin Amirsasan
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We extend our gratitude to all individuals who supported and facilitated this study.
 
Keywords
Obesity
Oncostatin M
White adipose tissue
Brown adipose tissue
Aerobic exercise

Main Subjects

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Sport Physiology
Volume 17, Issue 66
June 2025
Pages 69-50

  • Receive Date 28 April 2025
  • Revise Date 31 July 2025
  • Accept Date 16 August 2025