Effect of Exercise and Detraining on Signs of Puberty and Selected Inflammatory Markers in Girls with Precocious Puberty

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose We examined the effects of aerobic exercise and detraining on adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), white blood cell, and pubertal signs (uterine length, ovarian volume, luteinizing hormone [LH], and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Methods Thirty girls with CPP (7–9 yr old) were randomly divided into CPP and CPP + Exercise (EX) groups. Fifteen healthy age-matched girls without precocious puberty participated for comparison with CPP. Subjects in the CPP + EX group attended 12 wk of aerobic exercise protocol three sessions a week. In the baseline, after completing the exercise protocol and after 4 wk of detraining, all the parameters were measured. In the CPP and healthy groups, all the parameters were measured in all three stages. To measure adiponectin, resistin, and TNF-α, the ELISA method was used. LH and FSH were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. White blood cell counts were analyzed by an automated blood cell counter. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the results. Results CPP girls have lower adiponectin (P = 0.01) and higher TNF-α levels (P = 0.001) than healthy girls. In the CPP + EX group, after 12 wk, body weight and fat mass decreased, and adiponectin increased significantly (P = 0.02). Resistin (P = 0.02), TNF-α (P = 0.02), neutrophils (P = 0.01), and signs of puberty significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. After detraining, no significant change was observed except TNF-α, which increased significantly (P = 0.03). In the CPP group, no significant change was observed in any of the parameters; only LH (P = 0.0001) and uterine length and ovarian volume (P = 0.003, P = 0.001) decreased after 12 and 16 wk, respectively. Conclusions Aerobic exercise can have a positive effect on the state of inflammation and pubertal signs. Positive effects remain after 4 wk of detraining.