Acute Impacts Of Different Types Of Exercise On Circulating Alpha-Klotho Protein Levels

Introduction: Elevated plasma alpha-klotho (alpha Kl) protects against several ageing phenotypes and has been proposed as a biomarker of a good prognosis for different diseases. The beneficial health effects of elevated plasma levels of soluble alpha Kl (S alpha Kl) have been likened to the positive effects of exercise on ageing and chronic disease progression. It has also been established that molecular responses and adaptations differ according to exercise dose. The aim of this study is to compare the acute S alpha Kl response to different exercise interventions, cardiorespiratory, and strength exercise in healthy, physically active men and to examine the behavior of S alpha Kl 72h after acute strength exercise.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, plasma S alpha Kl was measured before and after a cardiorespiratory exercise session (CR) in 43 men, and strength exercise session (ST) in 39 men. The behavior of S alpha Kl was also examined 24, 48, and 72h after ST.

Results: Significant differences (timexgroup) were detected in S alpha Kl levels (p=0.001; d=0.86) between CR and ST. After the ST intervention, S alpha Kl behavior varied significantly (p=0.009; d=0.663) in that levels dropped between pre- and post-exercises (p=0.025; d=0.756) and were also significantly higher compared to pre ST values at 24h (p=0.033; d=0.717) and at 48h (p=0.015; d=0.827).

Conclusions: S alpha Kl levels increased in response to a single bout of cardiorespiratory exercise; while they decreased immediately after strength exercise, levels were elevated after 24h indicating different klotho protein responses to different forms of exercise.