Abstract
BackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) are angiogenic cytokines in normal tissues and tumors. Evidence suggests that increased growth factor expression in adipose tissue leads to improved vascularity and decreased hypoxia, fibrosis, and inflammation, which may, in turn, reduce post-menopausal breast cancer risk.ObjectiveWe investigated whether or not exercise had dose-response effects on levels of plasma VEGF and FGF2 in postmenopausal women.MethodsFour hundred previously inactive but healthy postmenopausal women aged 50–74 years of age were randomized to 150 or 300 min per week of aerobic exercise in a year-long exercise intervention. VEGF and FGF2 were measured from fasting serum samples with a custom-plex multiplex assay.ResultsA high compared to moderate volume of aerobic exercise did not cause chronic changes in plasma VEGF or FGF2 levels in intention-to-treat or per-protocol analyses.ConclusionsWe did not detect differences in growth factor levels related to increasing doses of exercise. It is unlikely that changes in VEGF and FGF2 levels mediate the reduction in risk of post-menopausal breast cancer development in associated with increased levels of exercise.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01435005.
Highlights
Regular lifetime exercise has been consistently associated with a reduced risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer [1]
It is unlikely that changes in Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) levels mediate the reduction in risk of post-menopausal breast cancer development in associated with increased levels of exercise
As part of ancillary investigations from Breast cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta (BETA) to evaluate novel mechanisms relating exercise to breast cancer risk, we investigated whether a higher versus a more moderate volume of exercise would lead to differential changes in VEGF and FGF2 levels
Summary
Regular lifetime exercise has been consistently associated with a reduced risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer [1]. Several mechanisms underlying the impact of exercise have been identified, including reductions in adiposity, sex hormone levels, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation [1]. These pathways explain some portion of the association; additional mechanisms require identification and further investigation. In a previous investigation from the Breast cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta (BETA), we observed that higher levels of activity were associated with reduced body fat [6]. 12 Months Geo-metric Mean 95% CI Treatment Effect. Evidence suggests that increased growth factor expression in adipose tissue leads to improved vascularity and decreased hypoxia, fibrosis, and inflammation, which may, in turn, reduce postmenopausal breast cancer risk
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