Effects of physical activity and exercise on Nucleobindin‐2 gene expression and Nesfatin‐1 concentration: A rapid review

The aim of this rapid review is to examine the research evidence that presents the effects of physical activity and exercise on Nucleobindin‐2 (NUCB2) gene expression and Nesfatin‐1 concentration. Five databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, and Google Scholar) were searched for eligible studies from the earliest available date to August 2023. In human studies, Nesfatin‐1 concentration either remains unchanged or increases after exercise training. It appears that higher exercise intensity and longer duration of training accentuate the increase of blood Nesfatin‐1 concentration. The few human studies that have examined the acute response of exercise on Nesfatin‐1 concentration from blood draws show conflicting results. There is a severe lack of biopsy studies in humans which warrants attention. All published animal studies have used the mouse model. The majority show that regular exercise training increases tissue NUCB2/Nesfatin‐1. In some animal studies, where the effects of exercise on tissue Nesfatin‐1 concentration has been seen as significant, there has been no significant effect of exercise on plasma Nesfatin‐1 concentration. All animal studies evaluated the effect of endurance training except one which used resistance training. No animal studies have investigated the effects of acute exercise, which warrants investigation. In conclusion, human and animal studies have shown that physical training can increase NUCB2/Nesfatin‐1, but research evidence examining the effect of acute exercise is in its infancy. In addition, future comparative studies are needed to compare the effects of different training protocols on NUCB2/Nesfatin‐1 in humans and animals.