Scientific Reports | 2021
Beneficial effects of whole-body cryotherapy on glucose homeostasis and amino acid profile are associated with a reduced myostatin serum concentration
Abstract
The study investigated the effect of single and chronic (10 sessions) whole-body cryotherapy (WBC; 3-min, −\u2009110 °C) on amino acid (AA) profile, myostatin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin and adiponectin in relation to glucose homeostasis. Thirty-five, healthy men were randomly split into experimental (young: 28\u2009±\u20097 years and middle-aged: 51\u2009±\u20093 years) and control groups. Blood samples were taken before and 1 h after the first and last (10th) WBC session. Baseline myostatin correlated significantly with visceral fat area, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and irisin (all p\u2009<\u20090.05). The single session of WBC induced temporary changes in AA profile, whereas chronic exposure lowered valine and asparagine concentrations (p\u2009<\u20090.01 and p\u2009=\u20090.01, respectively) compared to the baseline. The chronic WBC reduced fasting glucose (p\u2009=\u20090.04), FGF21 (−\u200935.8%, p\u2009=\u20090.06) and myostatin (-18.2%, p\u2009=\u20090.06). Still, the effects were age-dependent. The decrease of myostatin was more pronounced in middle-aged participants (p\u2009<\u20090.01). Concentrations of irisin and adiponectin increased in response to chronic WBC, while BDNF level remained unchanged. By improving the adipo-myokine profile, chronic WBC may reduce effectively the risk of the metabolic syndrome associated with hyperinsulinemia, increased levels of valine and asparagine, and muscle atrophy.