Background and Aim: Cell adhesion molecules are glycoproteins that mediate leukocyte response to inflammation. Increased level of these molecules may be directly associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of endurance training on serum adhesion molecules in overweight men.

Materials and Methods: Twenty two overweight students (BMI=28.34 kg/m2) voluntarily participated in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups, endurance training (n = 11) and control (n=11). Training group participants accomplished 3 sessions of endurance training program for 8 weeks. Before and after every exercise, fasting blood samples were taken from all the subjects and serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1) and soluble E-selectin were measured. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA test.

Results: Data showed significant differences in the levels of sICAM-1 between the groups after eight weeks of endurance training (P=0.002). Comparison of the  groups’ pre- and post exercise mean values of the levels of sICAM-1 showed significant changes in endurance group (P=0.001). Serum levels of sVCAM-1 and soluble E selectin showed no significant changes (p>0.05).

Conclusion: According to the results we can conclude that endurance training can decrease the levels of some of adhesion molecules. It could be responsible, to some extent for possible reduction of systemic inflammation, caused by physical activity.

Keywords: Cell adhesion molecules, Exercise, Overweight.

Received: Jan 25, 2016      Accepted: Apr 6, 2016