RESUMO
Most human populations are undergoing a demographic transition regarding their age structure. This transition is reflected in chronic non-communicable diseases featuring among the main contributors to burden of disease. Considering that the aging process is a major risk factor for such conditions, understanding the mechanisms underlying aging and age-related diseases is critical to develop strategies to impact human health at population and/or individual-levels. Two different aspects of aging process (namely, telomere shortening and DNA damage accumulation) were shown to interact in positively impacting mice median survival. However, strategies aimed at translating such knowledge into actual human health benefits have not yet been discussed. In this manuscript, we present potential exposures that are suited for population-level interventions, and contextualize the roles of population (based on behavioral exposures) and individual-level (based on small-molecule administration) anti-aging interventions in different levels of disease prevention. We suggest that exposures such as moderate wine consumption, reducing calorie intake and active lifestyle are potentially useful for primordial and primary prevention, while small-molecules that activate telomerase and/or tumor suppression responses are more suited for secondary and tertiary prevention (although important for primary prevention in specific population subgroups). We also indicate the need of studying the impacts, on aging and age-related diseases, of different combinations of these exposures in well-conducted randomized controlled trials, and propose Mendelian randomization as a valuable alternative to gather information in human populations regarding the effects of potential anti-aging interventions.
RESUMO
A inflamação sistêmica crônica de baixa intensidade está relacionada com maior risco de doenças cardiovasculares. Estudos sugerem que a proteína C-reativa, um dos principais biomarcadores inflamatórios, pode estar inversamente relacionada com a prática de atividade física e com a aptidão física. O objetivo deste estudo transversal foi determinar as associações entre os níveis de atividade física e a aptidão cardiorrespiratória, com biomarcadores inflamatórios em homens adultos jovens (18-30 anos) aparentemente saudáveis (N=85). As amostras foram analisadas pelo método ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay), usando kits de alta sensibilidade para proteína C-reativa, interleucina 6, interleucina 1? e TNF-?. A prática de atividade física foi mensurada por questionário e acelerometria. O consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) foi estimado por teste incremental em cicloergômetro. Na análise bruta, a média das concentrações de proteína C-reativa da amostra foi de 1,59±1,16 mg/L, e esteve significativamente correlacionada com o VO2max (r=-0,32; p=0,03), mas não com atividade física medida por acelerometria ou questionário. O índice de massa corporal (IMC) e a circunferência abdominal apresentaram correlação significativa com a proteína C-reativa (r=0,37; p<0,001 e r=0,41; p<0,001, respectivamente). Quando incluímos no modelo o IMC e a circunferência da cintura, a aptidão física perdeu a significância. Não houve relação entre atividade física ou aptidão física com os demais marcadores inflamatórios. Conclui-se que nesse grupo de adultos jovens houve relação entre a proteína C-reativa e o VO2max, e que esta associação é explicada pelas modificações no perfil antropométrico decorrentes de altos níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória.
Low-intensity chronic systemic inflammation is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Studies suggest that C-reactive protein, one of the main inflammatory biomarkers, may be inversely related to physical activity levels and physical fitness. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the associations between physical activity, fitness and inflammatory biomarkers in apparently healthy men (N=85) aged 18 to 30 years. C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, interleukin 1? and TNF-? were measured using the ELISA method. Physical activity practice was assessed by questionnaire and accelerometry. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated based on a cycle ergometer incremental test. In the unadjusted analysis, the mean concentration of C-reactive protein in the sample was 1.59±1.16 mg/L, and was inversely correlated with VO2max (r=-0.32, p=0.03), but not with physical activity estimated by accelerometry or questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference also significantly correlate with C-reactive protein (r=0.37, p<0.001 and r=0.41, p<0.001, respectively). After adjustment for anthropometric characteristics (BMI and waist circumference), the association with fitness was no longer significant. No association was observed between physical activity or fitness levels and the other inflammatory markers. We conclude that in this group of young adults, there was an inverse association between fitness and C-reactive protein, but this association is explained by the influence of fitness on anthropometry.