The role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in mediating the relationship between central adiposity and immunometabolic profile in postmenopausal women.

Loreana S Silveira,Fabio S Lira,Tiego A Diniz,Ismael F Freitas-Junior,Lucas Melo Neves,Fabricio E Rossi,Ana Claudia De Souza Fortaleza,Diego G D Christofaro

doi:10.1590/2359-3997000000259

Abstract

To analyze the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in mediating the relationship between central adiposity and immune and metabolic profile in postmenopausal women. Cross-sectional study comprising 49 postmenopausal women (aged 59.26 ± 8.32 years) without regular physical exercise practice. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were collected for assessment of nonesterified fatty acids, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, insulin and estimation of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Physical activity level was assessed with an accelerometer (Actigraph GTX3x) and reported as a percentage of time spent in sedentary behavior and MVPA. All analyses were performed using the software SPSS 17.0, with a significance level set at 5%. Sedentary women had a positive relationship between trunk fat and IL-6 (rho = 0.471; p = 0.020), and trunk fat and HOMA-IR (rho = 0.418; p = 0.042). Adiponectin and fat mass (%) were only positively correlated in physically active women (rho = 0.441; p = 0.027). Physically active women with normal trunk fat values presented a 14.7% lower chance of having increased HOMA-IR levels (β [95%CI] = 0.147 [0.027; 0.811]). The practice of sufficient levels of MVPA was a protective factor against immunometabolic disorders in postmenopausal women.

Highlights

Menopause contributes to changes in body composition, increased central adiposity [1]
We have previously shown that postmenopausal women with two or more risk factors, including low moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels, are more likely to have metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance [13]
We further investigated the relationship between metabolic and inflammatory profiles and central adiposity dichotomized by MVPA level, according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Menopause contributes to changes in body composition, increased central adiposity [1]. Obesity is currently considered a public health problem It is responsible for the development of chronic low-grade inflammation [7], a condition that is characterized by increased plasma endotoxin (i.e., lipopolysaccharide), saturated fatty acids, and proinflammatory factors, which are involved in the development of morbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome, and decreased anti-inflammatory mediators [8,9]. Taken together, these comorbidities may increase the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases, one of the leading causes of death worldwide [10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion