Diabetologie und Stoffwechsel 2019; 14(S 01): S19
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688160
ePoster
Lifestyle und Psychosoziales
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Exercise improves brain insulin action in sedentary overweight and obese adults

S Kullmann
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
L Wagner
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
R Veit
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
P Schneeweiss
2   University of Tübingen, Department of Sports Medicine, Tübingen, Germany
,
A Niess
2   University of Tübingen, Department of Sports Medicine, Tübingen, Germany
,
H Preissl
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
HU Häring
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
G Schnauder
2   University of Tübingen, Department of Sports Medicine, Tübingen, Germany
,
A Fritsche
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
C Weigert
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
A Böhm
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
M Heni
1   Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 May 2019 (online)

 
 

    Introduction:

    Exercise has beneficial effects on metabolism and brain function and is therefore recommended to prevent type 2 diabetes and support its treatment. However, little is known whether exercise can improve insulin sensitivity of the brain in overweight and obese individuals prone to brain insulin resistance.

    Methods:

    22 participants (15 women; BMI 31.15 ± 3.87 kg/m2; age 30.41 ± 8.6 years) underwent two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions before and after an 8-week supervised exercise intervention, including cycling and walking training. Furthermore, participants received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test before and after the intervention to assess peripheral insulin sensitivity. During the fMRI session, intranasal insulin was used to probe brain insulin action.

    Results:

    We observed exercise-induced changes in the dopaminergic system of the brain. In response to intranasal insulin, participants showed an increase in striatal blood flow prior to the intervention and a decrease after the intervention (p < 0.05). This insulin-driven attenuation is consistently observed in healthy lean individuals. Interestingly, the exercise-induced change in peripheral insulin sensitivity significantly correlated with the 'normalized' brain insulin action (r =-0.472, p = 0.02). Hence, participants who improved their peripheral insulin sensitivity showed the most prominent change in brain insulin action and better dopamine-dependent executive functioning based on the trail-making test after the exercise program (r =-0.521, p = 0.006).

    Conclusion:

    Exercise significantly improved brain insulin action, which was related to improvements in whole-body metabolism. As not all participants showed this beneficial effect, methods to boost brain insulin sensitivity are needed to improve glucose metabolism and brain functions.


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