Abstract
Our objectives were to determine if there are quantitative associations between amounts and intensities of physical activities (PA) on NMR biomarkers and changes in skeletal muscle gene expressions in subjects with high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) performing a 3-month PA intervention. We found that PA was associated with beneficial biomarker changes in a factor containing several VLDL and HDL subclasses and lipids in principal component analysis (P = <0.01). Division of PA into quartiles demonstrated significant changes in NMR biomarkers in the 2nd - 4th quartiles compared to the 1st quartile representing PA of less than 2850 daily steps (P = 0.0036). Mediation analysis of PA-related reductions in lipoproteins showed that the effects of PA was 4–15 times greater than those of body weight or fat mass reductions. In a subset study in highly active subjects’ gene expressions of oxidative fiber markers, Apo D, and G0/G1 Switch Gene 2, controlling insulin signaling and glucose metabolism were significantly increased. Slow walking at speeds of 2–3 km/h exceeding 2895 steps/day attenuated several circulating lipoprotein lipids. The effects were mediated rather by PA than body weight or fat loss. Thus, lower thresholds for PA may exist for long term prevention of cardio-metabolic diseases in sedentary overweight subjects.
Highlights
Triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol and visceral fat were lower than in the least active one, when the number of daily steps exceeded 6500
We have previously demonstrated within a large scale of ambulatory activities significant health effects of objectively measured amounts and intensities of whole - day physical activities
After the intervention several VLDL particle concentrations, triglycerides (VLDL, extremely large VLDL), fatty acids, glycoprotein acetyl (GlycA), small HDL particles and phospho-glycerides were significantly decreased in subjects walking more than 2895 steps daily at speed 2–3 km/h
Summary
Triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol and visceral fat were lower than in the least active one, when the number of daily steps exceeded 6500. In this study we determined lipoprotein lipid subclasses, triglycerides and fatty acids, known to correlate with cardio-metabolic risks, and their associations with whole day physical activities in the participating subjects. In a subset of subjects, who were willing to undergo muscle biopsies, we performed gene expression profiling in the quadriceps muscle to evaluate changes in the transcription level of potential candidate genes related to fatty acid oxidation and glucose and lipid metabolism. Our working hypothesis has been that beneficial effects of objectively quantified physical activity are associated with changes in one or more circulating NMR biomarkers and skeletal muscle gene expression. We speculated that that there might be physical activity thresholds for these measures that can be used for planning exercise programs for sedentary subjects with high T2D risks since it has been shown repeatedly that the high risk groups are unable to follow the recommended 150 min PA guideline[13, 14]
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