Tabari Biomedical Student Research Journal

Background & Objectives: Lifestyle modification through healthy diets and sufficient
physical activity plays a pivotal role in the improvement of overall health. This
study aimed to evaluate the effects of a single session of concurrent exercise on the
plasma levels of peptide YY (PYY) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in obese young men.
Material and Methods: In total, 24 obese young men with mean age of 20.81±2.56
years, body weight of 89.42±11.37 kg, height of 172±5.38 cm, and body fat percentage
of 27.67±4.68 were voluntarily enrolled in this study. Intervention was carried
out using a crossover design including a single session of concurrent exercise (seven
resistance exercises with 60% intensity of one RM). Afterwards, the participants
paddled on a cycle ergometer for 30 minutes at 60% HR-max. Venous blood samples
were collected before, immediately after, and one hour after the intervention in
order to assess the plasma levels of PYY and NPY.
Results: In this study, a single session of concurrent exercise significantly increased
the plasma levels of PYY (P=0.013) and NPY (P=0.021) after the intervention compared
to before the exercise session.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, increased plasma levels of PYY
immediately after concurrent exercise could be effective in suppressing the appetite
of obese young men. However, increased plasma NPY may have no effect on the
stimulation of the consumed food since it is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier.