Long-term training induces a healthy inflammatory and endocrine emergent biomarker profile in elderly men

Exercise-Mediated Protection against Air Pollution-Induced Immune Damage: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Directions

Air pollution, a serious risk factor for human health, can lead to immune damage and various diseases. Long-term exposure to air pollutants can trigger oxidative stress and inflammatory responses (the main sources of immune impairment) in the body. Exercise has been shown to modulate anti-inflammatory and antioxidant statuses, enhance immune cell activity, as well as protect against immune damage caused by air pollution. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in the protective effects of exercise on pollutant-induced damage and the safe threshold for exercise in polluted environments remain elusive. In contrast to the extensive research on the pathogenesis of air pollution and the preventive role of exercise in enhancing fitness, investigations into exercise resistance to injury caused by air pollution are still in their infancy. In this review, we analyze evidence from humans, animals, and cell experiments on the combined effects of exercise and air pollution on immune health outcomes, with an emphasis on oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and immune cells. We also propose possible mechanisms and directions for future research on exercise resistance to pollutant-induced damage in the body. Furthermore, we suggest strengthening epidemiological studies at different population levels and investigations on immune cells to guide how to determine the safety thresholds for exercise in polluted environments.

Exercise sustains the hallmarks of health

Exercise has long been known for its active role in improving physical fitness and sustaining health. Regular moderate-intensity exercise improves all aspects of human health and is widely accepted as a preventative and therapeutic strategy for various diseases. It is well-documented that exercise maintains and restores homeostasis at the organismal, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels to stimulate positive physiological adaptations that consequently protect against various pathological conditions. Here we mainly summarize how moderate-intensity exercise affects the major hallmarks of health, including the integrity of barriers, containment of local perturbations, recycling and turnover, integration of circuitries, rhythmic oscillations, homeostatic resilience, hormetic regulation, as well as repair and regeneration. Furthermore, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms responsible for beneficial adaptations in response to exercise. This review aimed at providing a comprehensive summary of the vital biological mechanisms through which moderate-intensity exercise maintains health and opens a window for its application in other health interventions. We hope that continuing investigation in this field will further increase our understanding of the processes involved in the positive role of moderate-intensity exercise and thus get us closer to the identification of new therapeutics that improve quality of life.

Physical Activity Influences Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone (Sulfate) Levels in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Age-related changes affect the ratio between two steroid hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (sulfate) (DHEA[S]). Physical activity (PA) may buffer the effects of chronic stress and counteract the aging decline of DHEA(S). Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to understand how PA influences physiological markers of cortisol and/or DHEA(S) and whether there is a difference in observational associations or experimental effects in older adults aged 65 years and older. A narrative synthesis was performed on nine observational studies, and meta-analyses were performed on 22 randomized controlled trials. There was low- to moderate-quality evidence that regular PA beneficially reduces cortisol and increases DHEA(S) levels. Subgroup analyses showed no clinically important differences between men and women, different exercise modalities, or health states. The findings cautiously suggest that regular PA of older adults' own choice that they find enjoyable could be recommended to improve cortisol and/or DHEA(S) levels.

The Interactome in the Evolution From Frailty to Sarcopenic Dependence

Biomarkers are essential tools for accurate diagnosis and effective prevention, but their validation is a pending challenge that limits their usefulness, even more so with constructs as complex as frailty. Sarcopenia shares multiple mechanisms with frailty which makes it a strong candidate to provide robust frailty biomarkers. Based on this premise, we studied the temporal evolution of cellular interactome in frailty, from independent patients to dependent ones. Overweight is a recognized cause of frailty in aging, so we studied the altered mechanisms in overweight independent elderly and evaluated their aggravation in dependent elderly. This evidence of the evolution of previously altered mechanisms would significantly support their role as real biomarkers of frailty. The results showed a preponderant role of autophagy in interactome control at both different functional points, modulating other essential mechanisms in the cell, such as mitochondrial capacity or oxidative stress. Thus, the overweight provoked in the muscle of the elderly an overload of autophagy that kept cell survival in apparently healthy individuals. This excessive and permanent autophagic effort did not seem to be able to be maintained over time. Indeed, in dependent elderly, the muscle showed a total autophagic inactivity, with devastating effects on the survival of the cell, which showed clear signs of apoptosis, and reduced functional capacity. The frail elderly are in a situation of weakness that is a precursor of dependence that can still be prevented if detection is early. Hence biomarkers are essential in this context.

Taurine supplementation reduces myeloperoxidase and matrix-metalloproteinase-9 levels and improves the effects of exercise in cognition and physical fitness in older women

Immunosenescence contributes to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration, and those conditions could be attenuated by non-pharmacological anti-inflammatory strategies, such as exercise and supplementation with the amino acid taurine. Since taurine body content decreases with aging, we investigated the effects of supplementation (alone and combined with exercise) on oxidative stress, extracellular matrix degradation, white blood cells, neurotrophins, cognition and physical fitness of elderly women. Forty-eight women (83.58 ± 6.98 years) were enrolled into exercise training only (EO: n = 13), taurine supplementation (TS: n = 12), exercise training + taurine supplementation (ETTS: n = 11), and control group (CG: n = 12). All interventions lasted 14 weeks. Exercise was applied twice a week, and taurine was given once a day (1.5 g). Data collection occurred before and after interventions with the determination of myeloperoxidase (MPO), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) levels, and white blood cell counts (WBC). Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and physical fitness tests were also evaluated. Concentration of MPO and MMP-9 decreased after intervention in TS (p < 0.05). No effect of time or time × group was observed for WBC parameters; however, univariate analysis showed a significant decrease in lymphocytes for TS, while an increase in monocytes occurred in the CG (p < 0.05). MoCA scores decreased over time in the CG (p < 0.05). Improvements in physical fitness occurred in ETTS (better agility and aerobic capacity), mostly likely due to exercise and boosted by taurine supplementation. No changes in BDNF levels were observed (p > 0.05), while NGF concentration were undetectable in almost subjects. Exercise together with taurine supplementation appears to be a valuable strategy to enhance health-related outcomes in older persons.

Potential Indirect Mechanisms of Cognitive Enhancement After Long-Term Resistance Training in Older Adults

The prevalence of dementia and other age-associated cognitive disorders is steadily increasing worldwide. With no cure after diagnosis, successful treatment likely requires maximum adherence to preventative countermeasures. Many potential risk factors are modifiable through exercise. Specifically, mounting evidence suggests that long-term resistance training (RT) can help maintain cognitive abilities with aging and have additional benefits to overall brain health. Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to administer such clinical interventions designed to slow disease progression. However, a neuroscientific foundation for these benefits must be established to justify the integration of RT for brain health into practice. The mechanisms of cognitive decline are commonly linked to fundamental processes of aging. Even healthy older adults experience decreases in physical capacity, vascular function, brain structure and function, glucose regulation, inflammation, mood, and sleep quality. Yet, clinical trials involving RT in older adults have consistently demonstrated improvements in each of these systems with concomitant enhancement of cognitive performance. Beneficial adaptations may indirectly or directly mediate benefits to brain function, and understanding this relationship can help us develop optimal intervention strategies for the aging population.

The Effect of Exercise on Glucoregulatory Hormones: A Countermeasure to Human Aging: Insights from a Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Hormones are secreted in a circadian rhythm, but also follow larger-scale timetables, such as monthly (hormones of the menstrual cycle), seasonal (i.e., winter, summer), and, ultimately, lifespan-related patterns. Several contexts modulate their secretion, such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, diet, and exercise. They play significant roles in human physiology, influencing growth of muscle, bone, and regulating metabolism. Exercise training alters hormone secretion, depending on the frequency, duration, intensity, and mode of training which has an impact on the magnitude of the secretion. However, there remains ambiguity over the effects of exercise training on certain hormones such as glucoregulatory hormones in aging adults. With advancing age, there are many alterations with the endocrine system, which may ultimately alter human physiology. Some recent studies have reported an anti-aging effect of exercise training on the endocrine system and especially cortisol, growth hormone and insulin. As such, this review examines the effects of endurance, interval, resistance and combined training on hormones (i.e., at rest and after) exercise in older individuals. We summarize the influence of age on glucoregulatory hormones, the influence of exercise training, and where possible, examine masters' athletes' endocrinological profile.

Inflammatory and immune markers associated with physical frailty syndrome: findings from Singapore longitudinal aging studies

Chronic systematic inflammation and reduced immune system fitness are considered potential contributing factors to the development of age-related frailty, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly defined. This exploratory study aimed to identify frailty-related inflammatory markers and immunological phenotypes in a cohort of community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 55 years. Frailty was assessed using two models, a Frailty Index and a categorical phenotype, and correlated with levels of circulating immune biomarkers and markers of senescence in immune cell subsets. We identified eight serological biomarkers that were associated with frailty, including sgp130, IL-2Rα, I-309, MCP-1, BCA-1, RANTES, leptin, and IL-6R. Frailty Index was inversely predicted by the frequency of CD3+, CD45RA+, and central memory CD4 cells, and positively predicted by the loss of CD28 expression, especially in CD8+ T cells, while frailty status was predicted by the frequency of terminal effector CD8+ T cells. In γ/δ T cells, frailty was negatively associated with CD27, and positively associated with IFNγ+TNFα- secretion by γ/δ2+ cells and IFNγ-TNFα+ secretion by γ/δ2- cells. Increased numbers of exhausted and CD38+ B cells, as well as CD14+CD16+ inflammatory monocytes, were also identified as frailty-associated phenotypes. This pilot study supports an association between inflammation, cellular immunity, and the process of frailty. These findings have significance for the early identification of frailty using circulating biomarkers prior to clinical manifestations of severe functional decline in the elderly.

Enhanced Strength and Sprint Levels, and Changes in Blood Parameters during a Complete Athletics Season in 800 m High-Level Athletes

The purpose of this study was to analyze changes in sprint, strength, hematological, and hormonal parameters in high-level 800 m athletes during a complete athletics season. Thirteen male athletes of national and international level in 800 m (personal best ranging from 1:43 to 1:58 min:ss) participated in this study. A total of 5 tests were conducted during a complete athletics season. Athletes performed sprint tests (20 and 200 m), countermovement jump (CMJ), jump squat (JS), and full squat (SQ) tests. Blood samples (red and white blood profile) and hormones were collected in test 1 (T1), test 3 (T3), and test 5 (T5). A general increase in the performance of the strength and sprint parameters analyzed (CMJ, JS, SQ, 20 m, and 200 m) during the season was observed, with a significant time effect in CMJ (P < 0.01), SQ (P < 0.01), and 200 m (P < 0.05). This improvement was accompanied by a significant enhancement of the 800 m performance from T3 to T5 (P < 0.01). Significant changes in some hematological variables: hematocrit (Hct) (P < 0.01), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (P < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCHC) (P < 0.001), white blood cells count (WBC) (P < 0.05), neutrophils (P < 0.05), monocytes (P < 0.05), and mean platelet volume (MPV) (P < 0.05) were observed throughout the season. The hormonal response and creatin kinase (CK) did not show significant variations during the season, except for insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest the importance of strength levels in middle-distance athletes. On the other hand, variations in some hematological parameters and a depression of the immune system occurred during the season. Therefore, monitoring of the mechanical, hematological and hormonal response in athletes may help coaches and athletes to optimize the regulation of training contents and may be useful to diagnose states of overreaching or overtraining in athletes throughout the season.

Strength Training Decreases Inflammation and Increases Cognition and Physical Fitness in Older Women with Cognitive Impairment

Introduction: Cognitive impairment that affects older adults is commonly associated with an inflammatory imbalance, resulting in decreased physical fitness. Exercise has been pointed to mitigate immunosenescence and cognitive impairment associated with aging, while increase in physical fitness. However, few studies explored the relationship between changes in cytokine concentration and improvement on cognition due to elastic band strength training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of strength training on pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, hematological markers and physical fitness of older women with cognitive impairment.

Methods: Thirty-three women (82.7 ± 5.7 years old) participated in the study and were divided in two groups: strength exercise training group (ST; n = 16) and Control Group (CG; n = 17) and were evaluated before and after 28 weeks of the exercise program. The CG did not undergo any type of exercise programs. Data for IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), white blood counts (WBC), red blood counts (RBC), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and physical fitness tests were analyzed in both moments.

Results: IL-10 increased in the ST group without changes in CG. TNF-α and CRP increased in the control group while no changes were observed for IFN-γ in both groups. Strength training decreased leukocyte and lymphocyte counts and increase hemoglobin, mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin concentration. The MMSE score increased in strength training group but remained unchanged in the control group. A correlation between the variation of granulocyte counts and the MMSE scores was also observed within the total sample. An improvement in physical fitness was observed with strength training.

Conclusion: Resistance exercise promoted better anti-inflammatory balance and physical performance simultaneously with an increase in cognitive profile in older women with cognitive impairment.

Melatonin as a Potential Agent in the Treatment of Sarcopenia

Considering the increased speed at which the world population is aging, sarcopenia could become an epidemic in this century. This condition currently has no means of prevention or treatment. Melatonin is a highly effective and ubiquitously acting antioxidant and free radical scavenger that is normally produced in all organisms. This molecule has been implicated in a huge number of biological processes, from anticonvulsant properties in children to protective effects on the lung in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, we summarize the data which suggest that melatonin may be beneficial in attenuating, reducing or preventing each of the symptoms that characterize sarcopenia. The findings are not limited to sarcopenia, but also apply to osteoporosis-related sarcopenia and to age-related neuromuscular junction dysfunction. Since melatonin has a high safety profile and is drastically reduced in advanced age, its potential utility in the treatment of sarcopenic patients and related dysfunctions should be considered.

Frailty has a stronger association with inflammation than age in older veterans

BACKGROUND

Upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines has not only been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older adults but also has been linked to frailty. In the current study we aimed to compare the relative relationship of age and frailty on inflammation and thrombosis in older veterans.

RESULTS

We analyzed 117 subjects (age range 62-95 years; median 81) divided into 3 cohorts: non-frail, pre-frail and frail based on the Fried phenotype of frailty. Serum inflammatory markers were determined using commercially available ELISA kits. Frail and pre-frail (PF) subjects had higher levels than non-frail (NF) subjects of IL-6 (NF vs. PF: p = 0.002; NF vs. F: p < 0.001), TNFR1 (NF vs. F: p = 0.012), TNFRII (NF vs. F: 0.002; NF vs. PF: p = 0.005) and inflammatory index: = 0.333*log(IL-6) + 0.666*log(sTNFR1) (NF vs. F: p = 0.009; NF vs. PF: p < 0.001). Frailty status explained a greater percent of variability in markers of inflammation than age: IL-6 (12 % vs. 0.3 %), TNFR1 (5 % vs. 4 %), TNFR2 (11 % vs. 6 %), inflammatory index (16 % vs. 8 %). Aging was significantly associated with higher fibrinogen (p = 0.04) and D-dimer levels (p = 0.01) but only among NF subjects.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, these data suggest that among older veterans, frailty status has a stronger association with inflammation and the inflammatory index than age does. Larger studies, in more diverse populations are needed to confirm these findings.

Mail-Based Intervention for Sarcopenia Prevention Increased Anabolic Hormone and Skeletal Muscle Mass in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Adults: The INE (Intervention by Nutrition and Exercise) Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the Intervention by Nutrition and Exercise (INE) study was to investigate the effects of a mail-based intervention for sarcopenia prevention on muscle mass and anabolic hormones in community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

This trial recruited community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older in Japan. The 227 participants were cluster randomized into a walking and nutrition (W/N) group (n = 79), a walking (W) group (n = 71), and a control (C) group (n = 77). We analyzed the physical and biochemical measurements in this substudy.

INTERVENTION

Six months of mail-based intervention (a pedometer-based walking program and nutritional supplementation).

MEASUREMENTS

The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) using the bioelectrical impedance data acquisition system, biochemical measurements, such as those of insulinlike growth factor (IGF-1), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D), as well as frailty, were assessed by the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria.

RESULTS

Participants in the W/N and W groups had significantly greater improvements in SMI, IGF-1, and 25(OH)D (P < .05) than those in the C group. Participants in the W/N group had significantly greater improvements in DHEA-S (P < .05) than in the other groups. These effects were more pronounced in frail, older adults.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the mail-based walking intervention of the remote monitoring type for sarcopenia prevention can increase anabolic hormone levels and SMI in community-dwelling older adults, particularly in those who are frail.

Former male elite athletes have better metabolic health in late life than their controls

Elite-class athletes have longer life expectancy and lower risk for chronic noncommunicable diseases possibly because of physically active and healthier lifestyle. In this study, we assessed former male Finnish elite-class athletes' (n = 392) and their matched controls' (n = 207) body composition, and risk for the metabolic syndrome (MS) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in later life. Compared with the controls, the former athletes had lower body fat percentage (24.8% vs 26.0%, P = 0.021), lower risk for MS [odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40-0.81], and NAFLD (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.88). High volume of current leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was associated with lower body fat percentage (P for trend < 0.001). When current volume of LTPA increased 1 MET h/week, the risk of MS and NAFLD decreased (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99 and OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.98, respectively). Although a career as an elite-class athlete during young adulthood may help to protect from developing metabolic syndrome, present exercise levels and volume of LTPA seem equally important as well.

Mind over hormones: sex differences in associations of well-being with IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and physical activity in the KORA-Age study

OBJECTIVES

A ssociations between well-being, serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), and its primary binding protein IGFBP-3, were examined in an epidemiologic study. The influence of physical activity on the effect of hormones on well-being was considered.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from participants of the KORA-Age study (n=985, age 64-93) was analyzed in sex-specific multivariable regressions of well-being (World Health Organization (WHO) -5) or ill-being (geriatric depression scale (GDS) -15). Models were adjusted for age, physical activity, sleep, BMI, smoking, and cognition. Adjusted WHO-5 means demonstrated the interaction between hormone quintiles with physical activity.

RESULTS

Full models indicated that increased IGFBP-3 positively associated with well-being in women (β estimate=0.14, standard error (SE)=0.06) and less so in men (β=0.11, SE=0.07). IGF-I associated positively with depression (β=0.11, SE=0.06) and negatively with well-being (β=-0.11, SE=0.06) in women. Similar but not statistically discernable effects were observed in men. Adjusted mean WHO-5 scores illustrated the positive effect of physical activity and IGFBP-3 on well-being in women only.

CONCLUSIONS

Opposite and independent associations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 on well-being observed in women suggests neuroprotective effects of IGFBP-3 in age.

Signature of subclinical femoral artery atherosclerosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

BACKGROUND

Peripheral arterial disease is a relevant public health problem associated with increased risk of morbimortality. Most of the patients with this condition are asymptomatic. Therefore, the development of accessible biochemical markers seems to be necessary to anticipate diagnosis. Our hypothesis is that asymptomatic subjects with objectively confirmed femoral artery atherosclerosis could be distinguished from control subjects by gene expression analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 37 asymptomatic males over 50 years old were recruited at the University Clinic of Navarra (Spain). Nineteen participants were free from atherosclerotic vascular disease and 18 participants presented subclinical femoral artery atherosclerosis defined by means of Doppler ultrasound. PBMC were isolated from blood and the RNA extracted. A panel of atherosclerotic-related genes were evaluated by Taqman low-density array.

RESULTS

In univariate logistic regression models, we found a direct relationship between IL4, ITGAM and TLR2 expression levels in PBMC and femoral atherosclerosis, even when the models were adjusted for age and hypertension prevalence. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that elevated IL4 expression levels were intimately associated with subclinical femoral atherosclerosis after adjusting for the same potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Current data suggest that gene expression in PBMC, in particular IL4 expression, could be a useful tool in the diagnosis of femoral artery atherosclerosis in asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, in patients with no differences in cardiovascular risk factors except for hypertension, the results point to the immune and inflammatory deregulation as a feature of subclinical peripheral atherosclerosis.

Preventing or reversing immunosenescence: can exercise be an immunotherapy?

There is now a strong body of evidence demonstrating that aging is accompanied by severe alterations in the immune system, a process known as immunosenescence. Among these changes are alterations in T-cell subpopulation size, cytokine secretion pattern, cell replicative capacity and antibody production, all of which culminate in a proinflammatory state called 'inflammaging' and a diminished capacity to respond to new antigens. These alterations are closely related to the increased mortality and morbidity rates observed in this population. However, the role of exercise on the prevention or treatment of immunosenescence is virtually unknown. Data gathered from the literature regarding the effects of physical activity on immune system aging are still limited and conflicting, with existing reports either advocating benefits or asserting a lack of evidence. Exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle has already been shown to provide long-term benefits with regard to cardiovascular, cognitive, psychosocial and other aspects of the elderly. If positive effects are also observed for immunosenescence, exercise could be a highly cost-effective measure to improve human quality of life compared with other strategies currently being pursued.

Perceived stress at work is associated with lower levels of DHEA-S

BACKGROUND

It is known that long-term psychosocial stress may cause or contribute to different diseases and symptoms and accelerate aging. One of the consequences of prolonged psychosocial stress may be a negative effect on the levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S). The aim of this study is to investigate whether levels of DHEA and DHEA-S differ in individuals who report perceived stress at work compared to individuals who report no perceived stress at work.

METHODS

Morning fasting DHEA-S and DHEA levels were measured in serum in a non-stressed group (n = 40) and a stressed group (n = 41). DHEA and DHEA-S levels were compared between the groups using ANCOVA, controlling for age.

RESULTS

The mean DHEA-S levels were 23% lower in the subjects who reported stress at work compared to the non-stressed group. Statistical analysis (ANCOVA) showed a significant difference in DHEA-S levels between the groups (p = 0.010). There was no difference in DHEA level between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that stressed individual have markedly lower levels of DHEA-S. Given the important and beneficial functions of DHEA and DHEA-S, lower levels of DHEA-S may constitute one link between psychosocial stress, ill health and accelerated ageing.

Chronic training increases blood oxidative damage but promotes health in elderly men

The objective of the present study was to investigate a large panel of oxidative stress biomarkers in long-term trained elderly men to analyse the effects of chronic training on an aged population. We collected blood samples from two groups of male volunteers older than 65 years who maintain a measure of functional independence: one group of sedentary subjects without a history of regular physical activity and the other of subjects who have sustained training, starting during middle age (mean training time=49 ± 8 years). We studied morbidity and polypharmacy, as well as haematological parameters including red cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width and several oxidative biomarkers including protein carbonyl content and lipid peroxidation in plasma and erythrocytes, red blood cell H2O2-induced haemolysis test, plasma total antioxidant activity and the main antioxidant enzymes of erythrocytes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase. After adjusting for confounding factors, we observed an increase in all oxidative damage biomarkers in the plasma and erythrocytes of the long-term exercise group. However, we reported a decrease in the number of diseases per subject with statistical differences nearly significant (p=0.061), reduced intake of medications per subject and lower levels of red cell distribution width in the chronic exercise group. These results indicate that chronic exercise from middle age to old age increases oxidative damage; however, chronic exercise appears to be an effective strategy to attenuate the age-related decline in the elderly.

DHEA, DHEA-S and cortisol responses to acute exercise in older adults in relation to exercise training status and sex

The aim of the present study was to investigate resting measures of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) and cortisol, and the response and recovery of these hormones to acute exercise, in male and female older adults of different exercise training status. Participants were 49 community-dwelling older adults (23 females) aged between 60 and 77 years who were either sedentary (n=14), moderately active (n=14) or endurance trained (n=21). Participants undertook an acute bout of exercise in the form of an incremental submaximal treadmill test. The exercise lasted on average 23 min 49 s (SD=2 min 8 s) and participants reached 76.5% (SD=5.44) of the predicted maximal heart rate. Blood samples were collected prior to exercise, immediately, and 1 h post-exercise. DHEA levels significantly increased immediately post-exercise; however, DHEA-S levels only significantly increased in females. Cortisol significantly decreased immediately post-exercise and 1 h post-exercise compared to pre-exercise. There were no significant differences in resting hormone levels or hormonal responses to exercise between training status groups. The findings suggest that exercise can stimulate DHEA production in older adults and that hormonal responses to exercise differ between male and female older adults.

Chronic inflammation as predictor of 1-year hospitalization and mortality in elderly population

BACKGROUND

Systemic low-grade inflammation is thought to be associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes in elderly population. We tested this notion with the goal of identifying useful potential biomarkers of 1-year hospitalization and mortality in the elderly population.

DESIGN

A total of 120 institutionalized older subjects were enrolled as participants in this study, including 90 women and 30 men (ranging in age from 68 to 105 years), selected from Santa Teresa nursing home (Oviedo, Spain). We studied functional status, morbidity, socio-demographic characteristics and several inflammation and inflammation-related markers.

RESULTS

The study included 95 non-hospitalized participants and 23 participants with at least one hospitalization during 1 year (19% of subjects). The study also included 100 survivors and 19 participants who died during the 1-year study (16% of subjects). In logistic regression models adjusted by age, sex, anti-inflammatory drug use and morbid conditions, high levels of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were associated with hospitalization and death at 1 year. Elevated levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also associated with an increased risk of death at 1 year after adjusting for the same potential confounders. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that elevated serum levels of IL-1ra were intimately associated with 1-year subsequent hospitalization and mortality in aged subjects after adjusting for age, sex, anti-inflammatory drug use and morbid conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Current data suggest that IL-1ra is a predictor of 1-year hospitalization and mortality in the elderly population.

Effect of different doses of aerobic exercise on total white blood cell (WBC) and WBC subfraction number in postmenopausal women: results from DREW

BACKGROUND

Elevated total white blood cell (WBC) count is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and death. Aerobic exercise is associated with lower total WBC, neutrophil, and monocyte counts. However, no studies have evaluated the effect of the amount of aerobic exercise (dose) on total WBC and WBC subfraction counts.

PURPOSE

To examine the effects of 3 different doses of aerobic exercise on changes in total WBC and WBC subfraction counts and independent effects of changes in fitness, adiposity, markers of inflammation (IL-6, TNF-α, C-reactive protein), fasting glucose metabolism, and adiponectin.

METHODS

Data from 390 sedentary, overweight/obese postmenopausal women from the DREW study were used in these analyses. Women were randomized to a non-exercise control group or one of 3 exercise groups: energy expenditure of 4, 8, or 12 kcal kg(-1)⋅week(-1) (KKW) for 6 months at an intensity of 50% VO2peak.

RESULTS

A dose-dependent decrease in total WBC counts (trend P = 0.002) was observed with a significant decrease in the 12KKW group (-163.1±140.0 cells/µL; mean±95%CI) compared with the control (138.6±144.7 cells/µL). A similar response was seen in the neutrophil subfraction (trend P = 0.001) with a significant decrease in the 12KKW group (-152.6±115.1 cells/µL) compared with both the control and 4KKW groups (96.4±119.0 and 21.9±95.3 cells/µL, respectively) and in the 8KKW group (-102.4±125.0 cells/µL) compared with the control. When divided into high/low baseline WBC categories (median split), a dose-dependent decrease in both total WBCs (P = 0.003) and neutrophils (P<0.001) was observed in women with high baseline WBC counts. The effects of exercise dose on total WBC and neutrophil counts persisted after accounting for significant independent effects of change in waist circumference and IL-6.

CONCLUSION

Aerobic exercise training reduces total WBC and neutrophil counts, in a dose-dependent manner, in overweight/obese postmenopausal women and is especially beneficial for those with systemic low grade inflammation.

CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER

NCT00011193.