Impact of physical exercise on chronic low-grade inflammatory profile and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in older persons

Samenvatting

Ageing is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory
mediators in the circulation, corresponding to a chronic low-grade
inflammatory profile (CLIP). One of the prominent risk factors for
the development of CLIP is physical inactivity. Some studies have
revealed the beneficial effects of physical exercise in suppressing
CLIP but the exact mechanism is not known. Contracting skeletal
muscle is reported to secrete myokines (among which Interleukin
(IL)-6) which have beneficial effects and play a potential role in
countering CLIP. In addition, physical exercise has been reported
to increase peripheral BDNF levels. The aim of this thesis was to
investigate the impact of resistance training on inflammatory
cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy
young adults and community-dwelling older persons. As well, we
explored the dose-response relationship and sex effects with
regards to circulating inflammatory mediators and peripheral
BDNF levels following resistance training at different external loads
in older persons.
We reported the beneficial effects of resistance training in
suppressing CLIP and increasing BDNF in older people.
Furthermore, we showed that resistance training has antiinflammatory
effects already at young age and that the effects on
the different inflammatory mediators depends on the magnitude of
the external load. In older men, resistance exercise at high
external load induces additional anti-inflammatory effects, but a
mixed-low resistance training program was most effective in
increasing BDNF concentrations. Continuous exercise adherence is
necessary to maintain the long-term effects as the effects on
BDNF disappear after 24 weeks of detraining.

Datum prijs	30 aug. 2016
Originele taal	English
Prijsuitreikende instantie	Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Begeleider	Ivan Bautmans (Promotor), Tony Mets (Co-promotor), Rose Njemini (Co-promotor), Christel Geerts (Jury), Cajsa Tonoli (Jury), Christian Demanet (Jury), Ron Kooijman (Jury), Bente Klarlund-Pedersen (Jury) & Florence Chainiaux (Jury)