Abstract 627: Physical activity and inflammatory and oxidative status markers in Chinese women
Authors: Wu Shenghui , Shu Xiao Ou , Chow Wong-Ho , Xiang Yong-Bing , Zhang Xianglan , Li Hong-Lan , Cai Qiuyin , Milne Ginger , Ji Bu-Tian , Cai Hui , Rothman Nathaniel , Gao Yu-Tang , Zheng Wei , Yang Gong 
Published: August 2012

Background: Leisure-time physical activity has been linked to lower circulating levels of inflammatory markers. Few studies have examined the association of non-recreational and household physical activity with inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. This study comprehensively evaluated the association of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers with physical activity, overall and by domains of physical activity, with a particular focus on both routine non-recreational and household physical activity, in a subset of 1,005 participants of the Shanghai Women's Health Study. Methods: Plasma cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], IL-1α, tumor necrosis factor-β [TNFα]) and C-reactive protein and urinary F2-isoprostanes and their metabolites were measured in 1,005 healthy Chinese women aged 40-70 years. Usual physical activity was assessed through in-person interview using a validated physical activity questionnaire. Results: Recreational and non-recreational physical activity contributed 6.2% and 93.8%, respectively, of energy expenditure from overall physical activity in this study population of middle-aged and elderly women. Two major sub-types of non-recreational physical activity, routine physical activity (walking and biking for transportation) and household physical activity, accounted for 49.6% and 38.2% of energy expenditure of overall physical activity. After adjusting for age, body mass index, lifestyle and dietary factors, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, Charlson comorbidity index, and history of chronic infectious and inflammation-related diseases using a general linear regression model, concentrations of IL-6, IL-1α, and TNFα decreased with increasing quartiles of overall physical activity, with a difference between extreme quartiles of 28.5% (P for trend = 0.002), 26.9% (0.005), and 18.4% (0.001), respectively. The inverse trends were similar when the analysis was restricted to non-recreational physical activity (P for trend = 0.004 for IL-6, 0.03 for IL-1α, and 0.009 for TNFα), or its components walking and biking for transportation (P for trend = 0.02, 0.048, and 0.005, respectively) and household activity (P for trend = 0.07, 0.08, and 0.03, respectively). Recreational physical activity was inversely associated with TNFα level (P for trend = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between physical activity and oxidative stress markers. Interpretation: This study suggests that overall physical activity (both recreational and non-recreational) may reduce the circulating levels of inflammatory markers. Our finding of a potential role of low-level physical activity, such as routine non-recreational and household activity, in reducing inflammation may have important public health implications because these types of activities are the main contributor to total physical activity in elderly women.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 627. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-627