Months Of Exercise Training Research Articles

EXERCISE TRAINING-INDUCED CHANGES ON DNA METHYLATION IN MILD COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS: GEMS STUDY

DNA methylation at CpG sites is an important epigenetic modification of the human genome that can affect gene expression and potentially influence health outcomes. Notably, aging and physical exercise have been shown to influence epigenetic modification with during minimal exercise, inducing hypomethylation of the entire genome within muscle cells. However, there is paucity of data on exercise-induced training adaptation on DNA methylation in mild cognitively impaired (MCI) older African American (AA) undergoing well-characterized and supervised exercise intervention. Objective of Study: We explored the effects of a six-month aerobic and stretch exercise intervention on the epigenetic modifications and genome-wide DNA methylation of enrolled participants. Twenty-nine older AAs volunteers confirmed to be MCI, were randomly, assigned into a six-month program of either aerobic or stretch exercise. Participants underwent 40 minutes of supervised training 3 times/week. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2Max) was determined at baseline and repeated after subjects completed the 6-month exercise program. Genome-wide methylation levels at CpG sites from 19 participants at baseline and a 6-month exercise training were profiled by using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip assay. We examined the association between the change in CpG sites intensities and VO2 Max after 6 months of exercise adjusting for Age, APOE4 carrier status and randomization group. The participants averaged ∼71 years old in age, were 67.86% female and similar in mean relative VO2 Max (Stretch=24.72 (8.68) vs. Aerobic=22.74 (2.69); p = 0.715) at baseline. In total, we obtained DNA methylation data or 485,513 CpG sites from blood of 19 participants at baseline and after the exercise adaptation. Overall, six CpG sites demonstrated significant training-induced changes in methylation profile: p-values below 5 x 10-5 (cg06648780, cg06120404, cg08733824, cg14318197, cg26580761, cg24583624) with the first two CpG sites located on the ALCAM (leukocyte adhesion molecule) and C1orf88 (primary cilia formation) genes. We provide a genome-wide DNA methylation patterns associated with training-induced changes after a 6-month exercise adaptation. Whereas, efforts to understand the implications of these changes are ongoing, future studies should inform the relationships of changes in DNA methylation to mRNA expression in a predominantly AA sample, and correlate such changes with the MCI clinical phenotype.

Randomized trial reveals that physical activity and energy expenditure are associated with weight and body composition after RYGB.

ObjectiveWe investigated the associations of both physical activity time (PA) and energy expenditure (EE) with weight and fat mass (FM) loss in patients following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery.MethodsNinety-six non-diabetic patients were included in this analysis. Post RYGB patients were randomized in one of two treatments: A 6-month exercise training program (RYBG+EX) or lifestyle educational classes (RYGB). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. We quantified components of PA and EE by a multisensory device. We explored dose-response relationships of both PA and EE with weight loss and body composition according to quartiles of change in steps/day.ResultsPatients in the highest quartile of steps/day change lost more fat mass (FM) (3rd =−19.5kg and 4th=−22.7kg, P<0.05) and abdominal adipose tissue (− 4th=−313cm2, P<0.05);, maintained skeletal muscle mass (3rd = 3.1cm2 and −4th=−4.5cm2, P<0.05) and had greater reductions in resting metabolic rate. Decreases in sedentary EE, increases in Light EE and age were significant predictors of both Δweight and ΔFM (R2 =73.8% and R2 =70.6%, respectively).ConclusionNon-diabetic patients who perform higher - yet still modest - amounts of PA following RYGB have greater energy deficits, lose more weight and body fat mass, while maintaining higher skeletal muscle mass.

Exercise with weight loss improves adipose tissue and skeletal muscle markers of fatty acid metabolism in postmenopausal women.

ObjectiveThe effects of six-months weight loss (WL) versus aerobic exercise training (AEX)+WL on fat and skeletal muscle markers of fatty acid metabolism were determined in normal (NGT) and impaired (IGT) glucose tolerant African-American and Caucasian postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity.MethodsFat (gluteal and abdominal) lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and skeletal muscle LPL, acyl-CoA synthase (ACS), β-hydroxacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT-1), and citrate synthase (CS) activities were measured at baseline (n=104) and before and after WL (n=34) and AEX+WL (n=37).ResultsAfter controlling for age and race, muscle LPL and CPT-1 were lower in IGT, and the ratios of fat/muscle LPL activity were higher in IGT compared to NGT. Muscle LPL was related to insulin sensitivity (M), and inversely related to G120, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. AEX+WL decreased abdominal fat LPL and increased muscle LPL, ACS, and CS. The ratios of fat/muscle LPL decreased after AEX+WL. The change in VO2max was related to the changes in LPL, ACS, and CS and inversely related to the changes in fat/muscle LPL activity ratios.ConclusionsSix-month AEX+WL, and not WL alone, is capable of enhancing skeletal muscle fatty acid metabolism in postmenopausal African-American and Caucasian women with NGT, IGT, and overweight/obesity.

Does Wearable Movement Detection Device Promote Better Exercise Compliance?

Information technology (IT) provides efficiency and convenience, however it also reinforces physical inactivity. To provide a remedy the IT industry has designed products that combine mobile apps, websites, and movement detection device for encouraging active lifestyle. Limited studies have examined its’ effectiveness. PURPOSE: To examine exercise compliance of a 7-min exercise programme through the provision of combining exercise website, mobile apps and movement detection technologies in Hong Kong School Students. METHODS: A total of 185 primary and 178 secondary students were recruited and randomly assigned (by schools & grades) into either an intervention group (n=189) or control group (n=174). The intervention group engaged in a 3-month 7-min moderate intensity interval exercise training (MIIT) program (at least 3 time a week) that incorporated the use of an instructor-led video demonstration website, mobile apps and a wearable movement device (wrist-band); whereas the control group engaged in the same exercise training but without movement detection devices. Major outcome measures were the exercise compliance and health-related fitness before and after intervention. RESULTS: Two-way repeated measured MANCOVA revealed that, all students regardless of group assignment, improved fitness significantly (p<.05). However, the intervention group indicated higher fitness improvement (p<.05). The intervention group demonstrated higher (P<0.05) exercise compliance (80.53±59.42%) than the control group (65.32±57.20%) . CONCLUSION: With the inclusion of a wearable movement detection devices(e.g. mobile apps + wrist bands) in an exercise training program, exercise compliance and physical fitness could be better improved, and may be considered when planning health and fitness promotion for school students.

1010 MORNING BRIGHT LIGHT TREATMENT IMPROVES FUNCTION AND REDUCES PAIN SENSITIVITY IN FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain, mood and sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, and affects over 20 million Americans. Pharmacological treatments (antidepressants, antiepileptics, opioids) often have small treatment effects and adverse side-effects. Exercise therapy requires significant patient motivation, and psychotherapy requires specialized personnel. Here we report on a pilot study in which we tested a home-based morning and evening bright light treatment in patients with fibromyalgia and examined changes in function and pain sensitivity. Ten adults (22–59 years) meeting ACR 2010 diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia participated in a 15-day protocol. Each subject slept at home on their usual sleep schedule for 1 week before an overnight session. During the overnight session, baseline function (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, FIQ), pain sensitivity (heat threshold and tolerance), and circadian timing (dim light melatonin onset, DLMO) were assessed. The next morning subjects were randomized to either 6 days of a self-administered home morning or evening light treatment (light boxes, 1 hour per day). Afterwards, function, pain sensitivity and circadian timing were reassessed. On average, subjects completed 84% of the scheduled light treatments. No side effects were reported. Both morning and evening light treatments led to improvements in function and pain sensitivity. However, only morning light treatment led to a clinically meaningful improvement in function (>14% reduction in FIQ) and heat pain threshold (p<0.05). Phase advances in circadian timing were associated with an increase in pain tolerance (r=0.67, p<0.05). Morning bright light treatment should be further explored as a potentially feasible, acceptable and effective adjunctive treatment for fibromyalgia. The improvement in function was similar to that seen after psychotherapy, and about half of the improvement seen after months of exercise training. Phase advances in circadian timing may be one mechanism by which morning bright light improves function and pain sensitivity in fibromyalgia. Fogarty Sleep Research Pilot Grant, Rush University Medical Center.

Cardiometabolic risk factors in type 2 diabetes with high fat and low muscle mass: At baseline and in response to exercise.

To examine the interplay between high fat and low muscle mass on cardiometabolic risk factors at baseline and in response to exercise in type 2 diabetes. Using baseline percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass index, 248 participants were divided into high fat versus low fat and low muscle versus high muscle. Linear mixed models were used to examine the main effects of fat mass and muscle mass and their interaction on baseline cardiometabolic risk factors and changes in risk factors in response to 6-month exercise training. At baseline, there was a fat mass by muscle mass interaction effect on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c ; P = 0.009), suggesting that low muscle was associated with elevated HbA1c in those with high fat but not low fat. Significant interactions between baseline fat mass and muscle mass on the exercise-induced changes in visceral adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and triglyceride concentration indicated that low muscle attenuated the exercise responses in participants with high fat at baseline (all P < 0.05). High fat and low muscle may be synergistically associated with higher HbA1c in type 2 diabetes. In participants with high fat mass, low muscle mass may attenuate exercise-induced improvements in some cardiometabolic risk factors.

Abstract P302: Energy Expenditure Responses to Exercise Training in Older Women: The Influence of Baseline Physical Activity

Introduction: Components of energy expenditure are not static. There is debate over whether there is a reduction in non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) that compensates for energy cost of exercise training. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in components of energy expenditure following exercise training, and whether any of the changes differ by dose of exercise. Methods: Older inactive women (60-75 years, less than 20 minutes of structured exercise for 3 times/week, n=72) participated in 4 months of exercise training of lower- or higher-dose (8 and 14 kcal/kg body weight weekly, respectively). The exercise was treadmill walking, 3 to 4 times per week, at 50-55% of heart rate reserve. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) by the doubly labeled water method, resting metabolic rate (RMR) via indirect calorimetry, and total physical activity by ActiGraph accelerometers (counts per minute), were measured at baseline and in the last two weeks of exercise training. Exercise energy cost was determined by speed, slope, and duration of walking according to the American College of Sports Medicine guideline. NEAT was calculated as (TDEE x 0.9 – RMR – exercise energy cost). Results: There were no group differences in the changes in energy expenditure measures (p for time x group interaction &gt; 0.10 for all). TDEE, RMR, NEAT and total physical activity did not change at the end of exercise training (p &gt; 0.05 for all). However, a significant baseline physical activity x time interaction was found for several energy expenditure measures. Data were therefore stratified into tertiles based on baseline physical activity. In the highest tertile, TDEE remained unchanged but NEAT and total physical activity decreased (p &lt; 0.05 for all). In contrast, in the mid- and lowest tertiles, NEAT remained unchanged, total physical activity increased, and TDEE was unchanged or increased (p &lt; 0.05 for all). Conclusions: In this group of older women, 4 months of aerobic exercise training did not change any of the energy expenditure measures in the overall sample. However, baseline physical activity levels influenced the energy expenditure responses, indicating reductions in NEAT and total physical activity despite participation in exercise training in those who had higher physical activity level at baseline.

Neurovascular control during exercise in acute coronary syndrome patients with Gln27Glu polymorphism of β2-adrenergic receptor.

BackgroundGln27Glu (rs1042714) polymorphism of the β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) has been association with cardiovascular functionality in healthy subjects. However, it is unknown whether the presence of the ADRB2 Gln27Glu polymorphism influences neurovascular responses during exercise in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We tested the hypothesis that patients with ACS homozygous for the Gln allele would have increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses and decreased forearm vascular conductance (FVC) responses during exercise compared with patients carrying the Glu allele (Gln27Glu and Glu27Glu). In addition, exercise training would restore these responses in Gln27Gln patients.Methods and resultsThirty-days after an ischemic event, 61 patients with ACS without ventricular dysfunction were divided into 2 groups: (1) Gln27Gln (n = 35, 53±1years) and (2) Gln27Glu+Glu27Glu (n = 26, 52±2years). MSNA was directly measured using the microneurography technique, blood pressure (BP) was measured with an automatic oscillometric device, and blood flow was measured using venous occlusion plethysmography. MSNA, mean BP, and FVC were evaluated at rest and during a 3-min handgrip exercise. The MSNA (P = 0.02) and mean BP (P = 0.04) responses during exercise were higher in the Gln27Gln patients compared with that in the Gln27Glu+Glu27Glu patients. No differences were found in FVC. Two months of exercise training significantly decreased the MSNA levels at baseline (P = 0.001) and in their response during exercise (P = 0.02) in Gln27Gln patients, but caused no changes in Gln27Glu+Glu27Glu patients. Exercise training increased FVC responses in Gln27Glu+Glu27Glu patients (P = 0.03), but not in Gln27Gln patients.ConclusionThe exaggerated MSNA and mean BP responses during exercise suggest an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with ACS and Gln27Gln polymorphism. Exercise training emerges as an important strategy for restoring this reflex control. Gln27Glu polymorphism of ADRB2 influences exercise-induced vascular adaptation in patients with ACS.

Normal Weight but Low Muscle Mass and Abdominally Obese: Implications for the Cardiometabolic Risk Profile in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BackgroundIt is well established that low muscle mass affects physical performance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesize that combined low muscle mass and abdominal obesity may also adversely influence the cardiometabolic risk profile in COPD, even in those with normal weight. The cardiometabolic risk profile and the responsiveness to 4 months high-intensity exercise training was assessed in normal-weight patients with COPD with low muscle mass stratified by abdominal obesity. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study including 81 clinically stable patients with COPD (age 62.5 ± 8.2 years; 50.6% males; forced expiratory volume in 1 second 55.1 ± 19.5 percentage predicted) with fat-free mass index <25th percentile eligible for outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. Body composition, blood biomarkers, blood pressure, physical activity level, dietary intake, and physical performance were assessed at baseline and in a subgroup after 4 months of exercise training. ResultsMean body mass index was 22.7 ± 2.7 kg/m2, and 75% of patients had abdominal obesity. Abdominally obese patients had higher glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), branched chain amino acids and a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared with those without abdominal obesity. Exercise training improved cycling endurance time and quadriceps strength, but did not yield a clinically meaningful improvement of the cardiometabolic risk profile. Triglycerides showed a significant decrease, while the HOMA-IR increased. ConclusionAbdominal obesity is highly prevalent in normal-weight patients with COPD with low muscle mass who showed an increased cardiometabolic risk compared with patients without abdominal obesity. This cardiometabolic risk profile was not altered after 4 months of exercise training.

Association of the Composite Inflammatory Biomarker GlycA, with Exercise-Induced Changes in Body Habitus in Men and Women with Prediabetes.

GlycA is a new composite measure of systemic inflammation and a predictor of many inflammatory diseases. GlycA is the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-derived signal arising from glucosamine residues on acute-phase proteins. This study aimed to evaluate how exercise-based lifestyle interventions modulate GlycA in persons at risk for type 2 diabetes. GlycA, fitness, and body habitus were measured in 169 sedentary adults (45–75 years) with prediabetes randomly assigned to one of four six-month exercise-based lifestyle interventions. Interventions included exercise prescription based on the amount (energy expenditure (kcal/kg weight/week (KKW)) and intensity (%VO2peak). The groups were (1) low-amount/moderate-intensity (10KKW/50%) exercise; (2) high-amount/moderate-intensity (16KKW/50%) exercise; (3) high-amount/vigorous-intensity (16KKW/75%) exercise; and (4) a Clinical Lifestyle (combined diet plus low-amount/moderate-intensity exercise) intervention. Six months of exercise training and/or diet-reduced GlycA (mean Δ: −6.8 ± 29.2 μmol/L; p = 0.006) and increased VO2peak (mean Δ: 1.98 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min; p < 0.001). Further, visceral (mean Δ: −21.1 ± 36.6 cm2) and subcutaneous fat (mean Δ: −24.3 ± 41.0 cm2) were reduced, while liver density (mean Δ: +2.3 ± 6.5HU) increased, all p < 0.001. When including individuals in all four interventions, GlycA reductions were associated with reductions in visceral adiposity (p < 0.03). Exercise-based lifestyle interventions reduced GlycA concentrations through mechanisms related to exercise-induced modulations of visceral adiposity. This trial is registered with Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT00962962.

Comparison of Supervised Hospital-based versus Educated Home-based Exercise Training in Korean Heart Failure Patients.

Background and ObjectivesAlthough many clinical trials have shown that exercise training (ET) improves functional capacity and clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients, data comparing supervised hospital-based and educated home-based ET in HF patients is lacking.Subjects and MethodsThis was a single-center, non-randomized, prospective study of 82 HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (≤40%) who completed ET. The hospital-based group (n=30) underwent supervised ET at 60% of peak oxygen consumption (VO2), while a physiotherapist-educated group (n=52) exercised at home without monitoring. The 2 groups were compared before and after the 3-month ET program with respect to functional capacity, quality of life (QOL), and cardiac events (all-cause mortality or hospitalization with worsening HF).ResultsAfter ET, peak VO2 increased in the hospital-based group (19.4±4.4 to 21.4±4.3 mL/min/kg, p=0.006) and remained unchanged in the home-based group (18.9±4.6 to 18.4±4.6 mL/min/kg, p=0.660). The change in peak VO2 after ET was greater in the hospital-based group compared to the home-based group by 2.5 mL/min/kg (p=0.014). QOL improved in the hospital-based group (43.1±18.0 to 28.1±21.6, p=0.003). During one year of follow-up, a comparison of the 2 groups did not reveal a statistical difference in cardiac events (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.2–2.8; p=0.570).ConclusionHospital-based ET was beneficial for HF patients, improving functional capacity and QOL. However, no significant advantages were observed in terms of a composite endpoint compared to home-based ET. Further investigations are required to address the effects and roles of the 2 ET programs for HF patients.

The influence of aetiology on the benefits of exercise training in patients with heart failure.

Background Exercise training improves neurovascular control and functional capacity in heart failure (HF) patients. However, the influence of the aetiology on these benefits is unknown. We compared the effects of exercise training on neurovascular control and functional capacity in idiopathic, ischaemic and hypertensive HF patients. Design Subjects consisted of 45 exercise-trained HF patients from our database (2000-2015), aged 40-70 years old, functional class II/III and ejection fraction ≤40%, and they were divided into three groups: idiopathic ( n = 11), ischaemic ( n = 18) and hypertensive ( n = 16). Methods Functional capacity was determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was recorded by microneurography. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Results Four months of exercise training significantly reduced MSNA and significantly increased FBF in all groups. However, the relative reduction in MSNA was greater in hypertensive patients compared with that in idiopathic patients (frequency: -34% vs . -15%, p = 0.01; incidence: -31% vs . -12%, p = 0.02). No differences were found between hypertensive patients and ischaemic patients. The relative increase in FBF was greater in hypertensive patients than in ischaemic and idiopathic patients (42% vs. 15% and 17%, respectively, p = 0.02). The relative increase in forearm vascular conductance was greater in hypertensive patients compared with those in ischaemic and idiopathic patients (57% vs . 13% and 26%, respectively, p = 0.001). Exercise training significantly and similarly increased peak oxygen consumption in all groups. Conclusion The exercise-induced improvement in neurovascular control is more pronounced in hypertensive HF patients than in idiopathic and ischaemic HF patients. The increase in functional capacity is independent of aetiology.

An intensive lifestyle intervention reduces circulating oxidised low-density lipoprotein and increases human paraoxonase activity in obese subjects

Obesity has a great impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the treatment of this pathological state is important given the significant health consequences. Lifestyle and behaviour changes play a significant role in weight management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an intensive multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on well-known atherogenic factors in a group of overweight and obese subjects. A total of 44 people with overweight/obesity underwent a lifestyle intervention based on nutritional education, psychological support and a 3-month exercise training program with a frequency of twice a week. Several anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured before and after the lifestyle intervention. Lifestyle intervention led to a significant reduction in metabolic profile including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma glucose, and plasma triglycerides. These reductions were also accompanied by a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption and muscle strength. Furthermore, paraoxonase and lactonase activities and the concentration of Apoliproteins A1 (APO A1) were significantly increased and the serum levels of oxLDL reduced without any changes in the circulating levels of LDL and HDL. In conclusion, our study suggests that an intensive lifestyle intervention in obese subjects promotes a series of beneficial antiatherogenic changes which included increased enzyme activites of paraoxonase and lactonase, concentration of Apoliproteins A1 and decreased circulating levels of oxLDL.

Enhanced Respiratory Chain Supercomplex Formation in Response to Exercise in Human Skeletal Muscle

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of multiple metabolic complications. Physical activity is known to increase mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle, counteracting age-related decline in muscle function and protecting against metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Here, we investigated the effect of 4months of exercise training on skeletal muscle mitochondria electron transport chain complexes and supercomplexes in 26 healthy, sedentary older adults. Exercise differentially modulated respiratory complexes. Complex I was the most upregulated complex and not stoichiometrically associated to the other complexes. In contrast to the other complexes, complex I was almost exclusively found assembled in supercomplexes in muscle mitochondria. Overall, supercomplex content was increased after exercise. In particular, complexes I, III, and IV were redistributed to supercomplexes in the form of I+III2+IV. Taken together, our results provide the first evidence that exercise affects the stoichiometry of supercomplex formation in humans and thus reveal a novel adaptive mechanism for increased energy demand.

Exercise Improves Insulin Sensitivity in the Absence of Changes in Cytokines.

The benefits of aerobic exercise training on insulin sensitivity in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are, at least in part, associated with changes in cytokines. Recent studies identified novel cytokines (e.g., fractalkine, omentin, and osteopontin) that are strongly involved in glucose homeostasis and therefore potentially contribute in the exercise-induced changes in insulin sensitivity. Therefore, we aim to examine changes in skeletal muscle RNA expression and plasma levels of novel cytokines after exercise training and correlate these changes to the exercise-induced changes in insulin sensitivity. Women with metabolic syndrome (MetS, n = 11) and healthy women (n = 10) participated in a 6-month aerobic exercise training intervention (three times a week, 45 min per session at 65%-85% of individual heart rate reserve). Before and after training, we examined insulin sensitivity (M value during hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp) and circulating blood levels of cytokines (venous blood sample; leptin, adiponectin, omentin, fraktalkin, and osteopontin). The skeletal muscle RNA expression of these cytokines (muscle biopsy) was examined in two subgroups (MetS, n = 6; healthy women, n = 6). At baseline, plasma levels of omentin (85.8 ± 26.2 ng·mL) and adiponectin (5.0 ± 1.7 μg·mL) levels were significantly higher in controls compared with MetS (51.1 ± 27.1; 3.6 ± 1.1 respectively), and leptin levels were lower in controls (18.7 ± 11.5 vs 53.0 ± 23.5 ng·mL). M value was significantly higher in controls (8.1 ± 1.9 mg·kg·min) than in MetS (4.0 ± 1.7). Exercise training significantly improved M values in both groups (P < 0.01). Exercise training did not alter plasma and skeletal muscle RNA expression levels of cytokines, but no correlation was observed between changes in cytokine level/RNA expression and M values (P > 0.05). Although exercise training successfully improves insulin sensitivity in MetS and healthy women, we found no change in plasma and mRNA expression levels of novel cytokines.

Circulating cell-free DNA, telomere length and bilirubin in the Vienna Active Ageing Study: exploratory analysis of a randomized, controlled trial

Telomere length (TL) in blood cells is widely used in human studies as a molecular marker of ageing. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as well as unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) are dynamic blood constituents whose involvement in age-associated diseases is largely unexplored. To our knowledge, there are no published studies integrating all three parameters, especially in individuals of advanced age. Here we present a secondary analysis from the Vienna Active Aging Study (VAAS), a randomized controlled intervention trial in institutionalized elderly individuals (n = 101). Using an exploratory approach we combine three blood-based molecular markers (TL, UCB and cfDNA) with a range of primary and secondary outcomes from the intervention. We further look at the changes occurring in these parameters after 6-month resistance exercise training with or without supplementation. A correlation between UCB and TL was evident at baseline (p < 0.05), and both were associated with increased chromosomal anomalies such as nucleoplasmatic bridges and nuclear buds (p < 0.05). Of the three main markers explored in this paper, only cfDNA decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 6-month training and dietary intervention. No clear relationship could be established between cfDNA and either UCB or TL. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01775111).

Mitochondrial and Metabolic Gene Expression in the Aged Rat Heart.

Aging is associated with a decline in cardiac function. Exercise intervention has been suggested as a way to improve this decrement. Age-related decline in cardiac function is associated with decreases in fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial function, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. The molecular mechanisms involved with age-related changes in mitochondrial function and substrate metabolism are poorly understood. We determined gene expression differences in hearts of Young (6 mo), Old (33 mo), and old exercise trained (Old + EXE) (34 mo) FBN rats, using Qiagen PCR arrays for Glucose, Fatty acid, and Mitochondrial metabolism. Old rats demonstrated decreased (p < 0.05) expression for key genes in fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial function, and AMPK signaling. There were no differences in the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism with age. These gene expression changes occurred prior to altered protein translation as we found no differences in the protein content of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, coactivators 1 alpha (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and AMPKα2 between young and old hearts. Four months of exercise training did not attenuate the decline in the gene expression in aged hearts. Despite this lack of change in gene expression, exercise-trained rats demonstrated increased exercise capacity compared to their sedentary counterparts. Taken together, our results show that differential expression of genes associated with fatty acid metabolism, AMPK signaling and mitochondrial function decrease in the aging heart which may play a role in age-related declines in fatty acid oxidation, AMPK activity, and mitochondrial function in the heart.

Effects of resistance exercise in women with or at risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

This study assessed the arm circumferences of 27 BCS (64±7years) at baseline and every 2weeks thereafter during a 6-month resistance exercise training (RT) intervention. RT consisted of 2days/week of 10 exercises including two sets of 8-12 repetitions at 52-69% of the participants' one-repetition maximum. A repeated measure analysis of variance revealed no significant changes in percent difference of arm circumferences at any assessment point (pre, 1.31±6.21%; post, 0.62±6.55%), nor were there any adverse lymphedema-related events reported during the study. These findings imply that RT can be a safe activity for women with or at risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Safety and efficacy of a 6-month home-based exercise program in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Background:Previous randomized controlled trials investigating exercise training programs in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients are scarce and of short duration only. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of a 6-month home-based exercise training program on fitness, muscle, and motor function in FSHD patients.Methods:Sixteen FSHD patients were randomly assigned to training (TG) and control (CG) groups (both n = 8) in a home-based exercise intervention. Training consisted of cycling 3 times weekly for 35 minutes (combination of strength, high-intensity interval, and low-intensity aerobic) at home for 24 weeks. Patients in CG also performed an identical training program (CTG) after 24 weeks. The primary outcome was change in peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) measured every 6 weeks. The principal secondary outcomes were maximal quadriceps strength (MVC) and local quadriceps endurance every 12 weeks. Other outcome measures included maximal aerobic power (MAP) and experienced fatigue every 6 weeks, 6-minute walking distance every 12 weeks, and muscle characteristics from vastus lateralis biopsies taken pre- and postintervention.Results:The compliance rate was 91% in TG. Significant improvements with training were observed in the VO2 peak (+19%, P = 0.002) and MAP by week 6 and further to week 24. Muscle endurance, MVC, and 6-minute walking distance increased and experienced fatigue decreased. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area and citrate synthase activity increased by 34% (P = 0.008) and 46% (P = 0.003), respectively. Dystrophic pathophysiologic patterns were not exacerbated. Similar improvements were experienced by TG and CTG.Conclusions:A combined strength and interval cycling exercise-training program compatible with patients’ daily professional and social activities leads to significant functional benefits without compromising muscle tissue.

Does exercise training impact clock genes in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus?

Recent findings revealed negative effects of deregulated molecular circadian rhythm in coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Physical exercise training (ET) has been shown to promote anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic responses in skeletal muscle of these patients, but the role of the circadian clock-machinery remains unknown. This study investigated whether mRNA expression of clock genes in skeletal muscle of CAD and T2DM patients is influenced by physical ET intervention. Nineteen patients with CAD and T2DM (age 64 ± 5 years) were randomised to either six months of ET (four weeks of in-hospital ET followed by a five-month ambulatory programme) or usual care. At the beginning of the study, after four weeks and after six months parameters of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, and physical exercise capacity were assessed. Gene expression was measured in skeletal muscle biopsies by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A selection of clock genes and associated components (circadian locomoter output cycle kaput protein (CLOCK), period (PER) 1, cryptochrome (CRY) 2 and aminolevulinate-deltA-synthase-1 (ALAS1)) was reliably measured and used for further analysis. A time-dependent effect in gene expression was observed in CLOCK (p = 0.013) and a significant interaction between time and intervention was observed for ALAS1 (p = 0.032; p = 0.014) as a result of ET. This is the first study to analyse clock gene expression in skeletal muscles of patients with CAD and T2DM participating in a long-lasting exercise intervention. ET, as one of the cornerstones in prevention and rehabilitation of CAD and T2DM, exerts no effects on CLOCK genes but meaningful effects on the clock-associated gene ALAS1.