A Low or High Physical Activity Level Does Not Modulate Prostate Tumor Tissue Protein Synthesis Rates

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity level has been identified as an important factor in the development and progression of various types of cancer. In this study, we determined the impact of a low versus high physical activity level on skeletal muscle, healthy prostate, and prostate tumor protein synthesis rates in vivo in prostate cancer patients.

METHODS: Thirty prostate cancer patients (age: 66 ± 5 y, BMI: 27.4 ± 2.9 kg per m2) were randomized to a low (<4000 steps per day, n = 15) or high (>14000 steps per day, n = 15) physical activity level for seven days prior to their scheduled radical prostatectomy. Daily deuterium oxide administration was combined with the collection of plasma, skeletal muscle, non-tumorous prostate, and prostate tumor tissue during the surgical procedure to determine tissue protein synthesis rates throughout the intervention period.

RESULTS: Daily step counts averaged 3610 ± 878 and 17589 ± 4680 steps in patients subjected to the low and high physical activity level, respectively (P < 0.001). No differences were observed between tissue protein synthesis rates of skeletal muscle, healthy prostate, or prostate tumor between the low (1.47 ± 0.21, 2.74 ± 0.70, and 4.76 ± 1.23 % per day, respectively) and high (1.42 ± 0.16, 2.64 ± 0.58, and 4.72 ± 0.80 % per day, respectively) physical activity group (all P > 0.4). Tissue protein synthesis rates were nearly twofold higher in prostate tumor compared with non-tumorous prostate tissue.

CONCLUSIONS: A short-term high or low physical activity level does not modulate prostate or prostate tumor protein synthesis rates in vivo in prostate cancer patients. More studies on the impact of physical activity level on tumor protein synthesis rates and tumor progression are warranted to understand the potential impact of lifestyle interventions in the prevention and treatment of cancer.