Cited by 245Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic DiseasesExercise and Physiological ResponsesPhysical Activity and Health

Leisure-time physical activity and reduced plasma levels of obesity-related inflammatory markers

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Pischon, Tobias, Hankinson, Susan E., Hotamisligil, Gökhan S., Rifai, Nader, Rimm, Eric B.·2003·Obesity Research

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between physical activity and the obesity-related inflammatory markers C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (sTNF-Rs) 1 and 2. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between physical activity and insulin sensitivity (insulin, C-peptide, and hemoglobin A(1c) levels) and whether inflammatory markers mediate this association. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Biomarkers were measured in 405 healthy men and 454 healthy women from two large ongoing prospective studies. Information about physical activity and other variables was assessed by questionnaires. RESULTS: After adjustment for other predictors of inflammation, physical activity was inversely associated with plasma levels of sTNF-R1, sTNF-R2, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein (p = 0.07, p = 0.004, p = 0.04, and p = 0.009). After further adjustment for BMI and leptin, as a surrogate for fat mass, most of these associations were no longer significant. Physical activity was also inversely related to insulin and C-peptide levels (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001); however, in contrast to BMI and leptin, levels of inflammatory markers explained only very little of this inverse relationship. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that frequent physical activity is associated with lower systemic inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity. These associations can partially be explained by a lower degree of obesity in physically active subjects. Although inflammatory markers may mediate obesity-dependent effects of physical activity on inflammatory related diseases such as type 2 diabetes or coronary heart disease, our study suggests that they do not directly account for the beneficial effects of physical activity on insulin resistance.

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  1. Willett WC, Sampson L, Stampfer MJ, et al. Reproducibil- ity and validity of a semiquantitative food frequency question- naire. Am J Epidemiol. 1985;122:51-65.

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Authors
Pischon, T., Hankinson, S. E., Hotamisligil, G. S., Rifai, N., & Rimm, E. B.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
  • Boston Children's Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Pischon, Tobias
Venue
Obesity Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2003-09
Volume
11
Issue
9
Pages
1055-1064
ISSN
  • 1071-7323 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-8528
OpenAlex
W2018048986
Cited by
245
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 17
FWCI
7.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Obesity Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • MDC Repository (Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
  • National Institutes of Health (DK46200, CA67262, CA55075)
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA-11181, R01AA011181)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL035464, HL35464)
  • National Cancer Institute (CA-55075, CA67262)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (P30DK046200)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Keywords
leisure-time physical activity, obesity-associated inflammation, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, C-peptide, HbA1c, leptin, body mass index, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease
MeSH terms
Adult, C-Peptide, C-Reactive Protein, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Glycated Hemoglobin, Humans, Insulin, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Prospective Studies, Cohort Studies, Biomarkers, Exercise, Interleukin-6, Body Mass Index, Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Leptin

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