title: Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on insulin and cytokine levels in a randomized controlled pilot study on breast cancer survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is an integrative medicine mind-body practice with a physical activity component that has positive effects on aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and quality of life among cancer survivors, similar to the effects elicited by other modes of moderate-intensity exercise. Inflammatory cytokines and insulin and insulin-related signaling molecules may contribute to weight gain and affect cancer recurrence rates and survival; exercise can curb cancer- and treatment-related weight gain, increase survival, and reduce levels of insulin and inflammatory cytokines. Despite knowing the beneficial effects of conventional exercise interventions on these mediators, little is known about the physiologic effects of TCC on these pathways in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the effects of a 12-week, moderately intense, TCC intervention (n = 9) compared with a non-physical activity control (n = 10) consisting of psychosocial support therapy (PST), on levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, insulin growth factor-like binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, and cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-γ in breast cancer survivors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of insulin are significantly different in TCC and PST groups; levels remained stable in the TCC group but increased in the PST control group (P = .099). Bivariate analysis revealed novel and significant correlations (all r > 0.45, all P ≤ .05) of both decreased fat mass and increased fat-free mass with increased IL-6 and decreased IL-2 levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study shows that TCC may be associated with maintenance of insulin levels and changes in cytokine levels that may be important for maintenance of lean body mass in breast cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, NY 14642, USA. michelle_janelsins@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Janelsins
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wideman
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Katula
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Sprod
authors.forename: Luke J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Peppone
authors.forename: Oxana G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Palesh
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Heckler
authors.forename: Jacqueline P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Gary R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Mustian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017741:Survivors; D026302:Tai Ji
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007328:Insulin