Exercise-induced Changes in DNA-methylation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study was to investigate whether regular moderate- or high-intensity interval training can change the DNA methylation in a long-lasting state, and whether these changes affect the gene expression. In addition, the investigators will determine whether the intensity of the training could be an affecting factor of the possible DNA-methylation change as well. The null hypothesis was that no such exercise-induced changes occur.

Official Title
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The Effect of Exercise on Maximal Aerobic Capacity, DNA-methylation and Gene Expression in Healthy Elderly Men

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: High-intensity interval training
* Behavioral: Moderate training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male 70-75 years old Signed written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Incompatible with exercise Known cardiac disease Active cancer Significant pulmonary disease Uncontrolled hypertension Use of blood thinning medicine (except Albyl-E) Drug abuse Alcohol abuse Finishing less than 80% of the exercise sessions (this complies to the training groups)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 70 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: High-intensity interval training<br>The High-intensity interval training group was instructed to complete exercise sessions of 4x4-minutes intervals at 85-95% of maximal heart rate, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. This type of exercise include 10 minutes warm-up, followed by four intervals of four minutes high-intensity (85-95% of HRmax), with three minutes active breaks (70% of HRmax) between each interval, and ending with seven minutes cool-down. An exercise session last for 42 minutes, where the participants should breathe heavily and feel exhausted four times. | Behavioral: High-intensity interval training<br>* Interval training 3 times a week for 8 weeks<br>|
| Active Comparator: Moderate training<br>The moderate training group was instructed to complete exercise sessions of 50 minutes at 70% of maximal heart rate, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. | Behavioral: Moderate training<br>* Moderate training 3 times a week for 8 weeks<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>The control group followed the baseline and follow-up tests, and was asked to live normally and not change their dietary pattern or exercise habits during their participation in this project. Based on the well-known beneficial effects of exercise on general health, it was regarded unethical to demand the control group to desist from any types of physical activity during the project period. They got no further follow-up on exercise. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DNA-methylation | From the skeletal muscle biopsies RNA and DNA was isolated, DNA was further bi-sulfite converted and DNA-methylation was analyzed using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. The RNA was further used for gene expression analyses by real-time RTqPCR. | 8 weeks | 
| Gene Expression |  | 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Maximal Aerobic Capacity | measured on treadmill at baseline and after eight weeks, also biopsies from Vastus lateralis were sampled. | 8 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Exercise, High-intensity interval training, Healthy elderly, Skeletal muscle, DNA-methylation, Gene expression, subjects, Moderate training