BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are purported to mediate type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and development. Physical activity and a balanced diet reduce disease risk, but no study has tested the hypothesis that short-term interval (INT) training would reduce EVs compared with continuous (CONT) exercise in adults with prediabetes.

METHODS

Eighteen obese adults (age: 63.8±1.5 yrs BMI: 31.0±1.3 kg/m 2) were screened for prediabetes using American Diabetes Association criteria (75g OGTT). Subjects were randomized to INT (n= 10, alternating 3 min intervals at 90% and 50% HR peak,, respectively) or CONT (n= 8, 70% HR peak) training for 12 supervised sessions over 13 d for 60 min/d. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2 peak), weight (kg), as well as ad-libitum dietary intake were assessed and arterial stiffness (augmentation index via applanation tonometry; AIx) was calculated using total AUC during a 75g OGTT performed 24 hr following the last exercise bout. Total EVs, platelet EVs (CD31+/CD41+), endothelial EVs (CD105; CD31+/CD41−), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)(CD31+) and leukocyte EVs (CD45+; CD45+/CD41−) were analyzed via imaging flow cytometry pre-/post-intervention.

RESULTS

INT exercise increased VO 2 peak (P= 0.04) compared to CONT training. While training had no effect on platelet or leukocyte EVs, INT decreased Annexin V− endothelial EV CD105 compared with CONT (P= 0.04). However, after accounting for dietary sugar intake the intensity effect was lost (P= 0.18). Increased ad-libitum dietary sugar intake following training was linked to elevated AV+ CD105 (r= 0.49, P= 0.06) and AV-CD45+(r= 0.59, P= 0.01). Nonetheless, increased VO 2 peak correlated with decreased AV+ CD105 (r=− 0.60, P= 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Interval exercise training decreases endothelial derived EVs in adults with prediabetes. Although increased sugar consumption may alter EVs following a short-term exercise intervention, fitness modifies EV count.