Abstract
The study aimed to examine sex-specific associations between objectively measured sedentary patterns and pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in older adults when considering the moderating impact of physical activity (PA). Accelerometer-based monitoring of sedentary patterns and PA was conducted in a population of older men (n = 83; age: 67.4 ± 1.5; height: 178.7 ± 6.6 cm; weight: 80.9 ± 10.6 kg) and women (n = 146; age: 67.4 ± 1.6; height: 164.2 ± 6.1 cm; weight: 64.6 ± 10.1 kg) aged 65–70. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-18, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Total and bouts of ≥10 min of sedentary time were inversely associated with the anti-inflammatory marker IL-10 in older men (accumulated sedentary time: β = −0.116; bouts: β = −0.099; all p < 0.05). Associations were independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total PA volume. In women, total and bouts of ≥10 min of sedentary time were detrimentally associated with the pro-inflammatory marker fibrinogen (accumulated sedentary time: β = −0.130; bouts: β = −0.085; all p < 0.05). Associations remained between accumulated sedentary time and fibrinogen when adjusting for MVPA and total PA volume. This study highlights sex-specific routes by which sedentary patterns impact on pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in older adults. The findings support efforts to promote accumulation of time spent in PA at the expense of time in sedentary pursuits on low-grade inflammation in older men and women.
Highlights
Leading a sedentary lifestyle is implicated with increased risk of several chronic conditions, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (Dunstan et al, 2011)
Higher accumulated amounts of sedentary time were related to higher levels of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers IL-6 and fibrinogen in women, whereas an inverse relationship with the anti-inflammatory biomarker IL-10 was observed in men
Time spent in moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA) did not offset the detrimental impacts of accumulating excessive amounts of sedentary time in both sexes
Summary
Leading a sedentary lifestyle is implicated with increased risk of several chronic conditions, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (Dunstan et al, 2011). In this respect, excessive amounts of time in a sedentary state have been linked to obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, collectively known as the metabolic syndrome (Edwardson et al, 2012). While the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying progression of metabolic disorders are not fully clarified, alterations in the systemic inflammatory environment, have been highlighted as an important mediator (Franceschi and Campisi, 2014). Elevations in circulating levels of several proinflammatory mediators by advancing age promote as state of low-grade systemic inflammation. Systemic inflammation in older adults is further influenced by a declined level of IL-10 (Meador et al, 2008), an anti-inflammatory cytokine mainly produced by macrophages and responsible for suppressing inflammatory responses (Asadullah et al, 2003; Dorneles et al, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
