Relationship Between Physical Activity and Stem Cells in Older Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This is a pilot study to develop a collaborative, translational research project investigating whether physical activity may in part exert a positive influence on aging via the mobilization of stem cells. Preliminary data will be collected to explore the relationship between physical activity and stem cell populations found in the blood. The study hypothesis is that stem cell decrease with age, but that persons who are more physically active will have a higher number of stem cells in the blood. The first assessment will include an evaluation of health, physical activity and lifestyle via questionnaires. Height, weight and abdominal girth will be measured, and blood will be drawn for immune and stem cell assessment. Participants will be given a pedometer and accelerometer to wear daily for 7 days. Participants will return for a second visit at which the pedometer and accelerometer will be returned and blood will be drawn. Stem cell and immune assays will be repeated to evaluate the variability of these measures over time. The correlation between stem cell numbers and physical activity will be analyzed.

Detailed Description
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Increased numbers of circulating stem cells and physical activity are both associated with improved health in older persons. This pilot study is the initial step in developing a collaborative, translational research project investigating whether physical activity may in part exert a positive influence on aging via the mobilization of stem cells. The specific aim of this pilot project is to collect preliminary data to explore the relationship between physical activity and stem cell populations found in the blood and to determine the variance in the number of circulating stem cells. We hypothesize that stem cell decrease with age, but that persons who are more physically active will have a higher number of stem cells in the blood. A maximum of 40 persons will be recruited to participate. Persons are eligible to participate if they are age 60 or older, haven't been hospitalized recently, do not have an immunologic or blood disease, do not have an infection, and are not undergoing chemotherapy. Subjects will have 2 visits to the UNMC Clinical Research Center (CRC). The first assessment will include an evaluation of health, physical activity and lifestyle via questionnaires. Height, weight and abdominal girth will be measured, and blood will be drawn for immune and stem cell assessment. Subjects will be given a pedometer and accelerometer to wear daily for 7 days. Subjects will return to the CRC for a second visit at which the pedometer and accelerometer will be returned and blood will be drawn. Stem cell and immune assays will be repeated to evaluate the variability of these measures over time. The correlation between stem cell numbers and physical activity will be analyzed. The data will be used to perform sample size calculations for the development of future studies.

Official Title
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Relationship Between Physical Activity and Stem Cells in Older Adults

Conditions
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Aging

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 60 years of age or older Exclusion Criteria: Hospitalization within 2 months prior Immunological disease Hematopoietic disease No current infection No current chemotherapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years
Maximum Age: 105 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

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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What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| circulating stem cells | Number of circulating stem cells determined by lab | upon enrollment, one week later | 
| physical activity | physical activity as reported | upon enrollment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| alcohol consumption | alcohol consumption as reported | upon enrollment | 
| smoking history | smoking history as reported | upon enrollment | 
| plasma cytokine levels | plasma cytokine levels determined by lab | upon enrollment, one later | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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physical activity, stem cells, lifestyle