Regular physical activity and cardiovascular biomarkers in prevention of atherosclerosis in men: a 25-year prospective cohort study
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BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to examine the association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), cardiovascular biomarkers and atherosclerosis among asymptomatic men with stable LTPA level throughout the 25-year prospective observation. METHODS: Out of 101 asymptomatic men prospectively observed for their lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors, the cohort of 62 individuals (mean age 59.9 years) maintained a stable LTPA level during the 25-year observation. Regular check-ups with the assessment of traditional risk factors, detailed measurements of LTPA level and aerobic capacity were performed since baseline. At the latest follow-up (2011/12) a set of cardiovascular biomarkers was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by means of coronary artery calcification score and intima-media thickness (IMT). Endothelial function was evaluated by means of the reactive hyperemia index. The studied biomarkers and indices were analyzed in the three cohorts representing stable low-tomoderate (<2050 kcal/week), high (2050-3840 kcal/week) and very high LTPA (>3840 kcal/week). RESULTS: At baseline the three cohorts were comparable in terms of age and clinical characteristics. At follow-up, the cohort with stable high LTPA (2050-3840 kcal/week) had significantly lower concentrations of hs-CRP (2.20 ± 1.0 mg/L), oxidized-LDL (68.35 ± 67.7 ng/mL), leptin (4.71 ± 3.07 ng/mL) and irisin (0.47 ± 0.13 μmol/L), and the most favorable indices of atherosclerosis and endothelial function as compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Regular marathon runners had increased concentrations of hsCRP (3.12 ± 1.4 mg/L), oxidized-LDL (249.8 ± 129 ng/ml), Interleukine-6 (3.74 ± 2.4 pg/ml). A positive correlation was observed between hsCRP and IMT (r = 0.301; p < 0.01), and irisin and IMT (r = 0.223; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that stable high LTPA (2050-3840 kcal/week) is associated with the most favorable profile of key cardiovascular biomarkers and indices of atherosclerosis. Lifetime very high LTPA is associated with increased lowgrade inflammation and may, therefore, exert an atherogenic effect.
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Some studies report positive correlations between irisin and carotid intima-media thickness.
“some studies report positive correlations between irisin and carotid intima-media thickness [49]”
From Exercise-Induced Myokines in Obesity-Related Metabolic Disorders and Cardiovascular Protection: A Narrative Review (2026) · cites this paper as [49]
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“Notably, some studies report positive correlations between irisin and carotid intima-media thickness [49], possibly reflecting compensatory secretion during disease progression or target organ resistance—again emphasizing context-dependent interpretation.”
- Authors
- Kwaśniewska, M., Kostka, T., Jegier, A., Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk, E., Leszczyńska, J., Rębowska, E., Orczykowska, M., & Drygas, W.
- Affiliations
- Medical University of Lodz (PL)
- Corresponding author
- Kwaśniewska, Magdalena
- Venue
- BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
- Published
- 2016-04-05
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 65-65
- ISSN
- 1471-2261 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC4820971
- OpenAlex
- W2338190689
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 2.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- BMC Cardiovascular Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Narodowe Centrum Nauki (NN 404 258940)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
- Keywords
- leisure-time physical activity, cardiovascular biomarkers, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification, intima-media thickness, endothelial function, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, leptin, irisin, interleukin-6, marathon runners, cardiorespiratory fitness, men, atherosclerosis prevention, long-term follow-up
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Blood Glucose, Carotid Artery Diseases, Coronary Artery Disease, Endothelium, Vascular, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Exercise Test, Humans, Hyperemia, Lipids, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Time Factors, Biomarkers, Exercise, Exercise Tolerance, Inflammation Mediators, Risk Reduction Behavior, Atherosclerosis, Asymptomatic Diseases, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, Vascular Calcification, Protective Factors
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