Circulating Mediators of Apoptosis and Inflammation in Aging; Physical Exercise Intervention

Author: Barbara Morawin1, Anna Tylutka1, Jolanta Chmielowiec2, Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny1
Affiliation:
1 Department of Applied and Clinical Physiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland.
2 Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, 65-417 Zielona Góra, Poland.
Conference/Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health
Date published: 2021 Mar 19
Other: Volume ID: 18 , Issue ID: 6 , Pages: 3165 , Special Notes: doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063165. , Word Count: 230


Sarcopenia is an age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass caused by many cellular mechanisms and also by lifestyle factors such as low daily physical activity. In addition, it has been shown that sarcopenia may be associated with inflammation and cognitive impairment in old age. Regular exercise is key in reducing inflammation and preventing sarcopenia and diseases related to cognitive impairment. The study was designed to assess the impact of exercise training on circulating apoptotic and inflammatory markers of sarcopenia in older adults. Eighty older adults aged 70.5 ± 5.8 years were randomized to the physically active group who participated in a 10-month Tai-Chi training session (TC, n = 40) and the control group who participated in health education sessions (HE, n = 40). Tai-Chi training caused a significant decrease in fat mass (FM) by 3.02 ± 3.99%, but an increase in appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) by 1.76 ± 3.17% and gait speed by 9.07 ± 11.45%. Tai-Chi training elevated the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), and tumor necrosis receptor factor II (TNFRII), and decreased caspases 8 and 9. Despite the increase in TNFα, apoptosis was not initiated, i.e., the cell-free DNA level did not change in the TC group. The study demonstrated that Tai-Chi training significantly reduced the symptoms of sarcopenia through the changes in body composition and physical performance, and improvements in cytokine-related mechanisms of apoptosis.

Keywords: Tai-Chi; apoptosis; cell free DNA; sarcopenia; tumor necrosis factor.

PMID: 33808526 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063165

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