Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42187499›Full record

SynthesisPhysiological research2026

The Impact of Physical Training on Circulating Retinol-Binding Protein 4: A Systematic Review.

Z Alsahafi, A Baashar

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Physiological research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Z AlsahafiDepartment of Basic Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sahafiz@KSAU-HS.EDU.SA.
A Baashar

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are strongly associated with insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Retinol-Binding Protein 4 (RBP4), an adipokine secreted by the liver and adipose tissue, has been implicated in metabolic dysfunction, with elevated circulating levels linked to impaired glucose homeostasis. Exercise is known to improve insulin sensitivity; however, its effects on RBP4 remain unclear. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the impact of exercise interventions on circulating RBP4 concentrations and to evaluate differences by exercise modality and population characteristics. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2005-2025) was conducted. Inclusion criteria were human studies ?18 years evaluating structured aerobic, resistance, or combined training with pre- and post-intervention RBP4 measurement. Non-exercise interventions and animal studies were excluded. Data extraction and quality appraisal were independently performed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Out of 1,422 records screened, 16 studies met the eligibility criteria, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and pre-post designs. Participants included healthy individuals, obese subjects, and patients with T2DM or metabolic syndrome. The exercise interventions varied from a single session to structured aerobic or combined aerobic-resistance programs lasting up to 12 weeks. Results showed context-dependent effects with conflicting results between different studies. Aerobic and combined aerobic-resistance exercise were associated with significant reductions in circulating RBP4 levels among obese and T2DM groups, whereas results in healthy individuals remained inconsistent. In contrast, single-session and endurance training interventions did not produce significant effects. Exercise training demonstrates potential to lower circulating RBP4, particularly in metabolically compromised populations. However, inconsistent results highlight the need for larger, standardized trials to clarify exercise modality-specific effects.

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2ExerciseObesityRetinol-Binding Proteins, PlasmaBiomarkersHumansInsulin ResistanceMetabolic SyndromeResistance TrainingBiomarkersRBP4 protein, humanRetinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma

Identifiers

PMID42187499
PMCPMC13225445

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.