Physical activity may protect against low grade systemic inflammation in young adults (954.2)

Abstract

Physical activity may positively impact low grade systemic inflammation by stimulating the upregulation of the multifactorial cytokine, Interluekin‐6 (IL‐6), secreted from muscle cells following chronic exercise ultimately decreasing ones risk for disease. Whether there is a significant difference in inflammatory (C‐Reactive Protein, IL‐6) markers and the gene expression molecule nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) between young trained and untrained males and females is unknown. To examine the differences between C‐reactive protein (CRP), IL‐6, and NF‐κB in young (21.1 ± 2.1 yr) trained (n = 9) and untrained (n = 7) males and females. Fasting venous whole blood (40 ml) and a finger prick (triglycerides) along with body composition measurements (percent body fat, fat mass, etc…), and a medical history were obtained from young apparently healthy endurance trained (NCAA student athletes) and untrained individuals (less than three hours a week of physical activity). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were conducted to analyze fasting plasma (CRP and IL‐6) and isolated lymphocyte NF‐κB activation. Lymphocytes were isolated from whole blood samples through differential centrifugation with the use of ficoll. An Independent T‐test was used to identify differences (p<0.05) between trained and untrained groups (N = 16). Significant differences exist in body composition (p<0.05), triglycerides (p<0.05), and CRP (p<0.01). Finally, no significant difference in NF‐κB rels (p50 and p65) and IL‐6 was found between trained and untrained individuals. A significant difference exists between trained and untrained male and female participants for low grade systemic inflammation (CRP) levels despite no difference in the precursor gene expression molecule, NF‐κB or IL‐6. This suggests that physical activity has a positive protective impact on low grade systemic inflammation levels possibly through an anti‐inflammatory mediated pathway and may help minimize disease risk in a young population.Grant Funding Source: Supported by STEM