title: Elastic band resistance training influences transforming growth factor-ß receptor I mRNA expression in peripheral mononuclear cells of institutionalised older adults: the Vienna Active Ageing Study (VAAS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ageing, inactivity and obesity are associated with chronic low-grade inflammation contributing to a variety of lifestyle-related diseases. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multimodal protein with various cellular functions ranging from tissue remodelling to the regulation of inflammation and immune functions. While it is generally accepted that aerobic exercise exerts beneficial effects on several aspects of immune functions, even in older adults, the effect of resistance training remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether progressive resistance training (6 months) with or without nutritional supplementation (protein and vitamins) would influence circulating C-reactive protein and TGF-β levels as well as TGF-β signalling in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of institutionalised adults with a median age of 84.5 (65.0-97.4) years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elastic band resistance training significantly improved performance as shown by the arm-lifting test (p = 0.007), chair stand test (p = 0.001) and 6-min walking test (p = 0.026). These results were paralleled by a reduction in TGF-β receptor I (TGF-βRI) mRNA expression in PBMCs (p = 0.006), while circulating inflammatory markers were unaffected. Protein and vitamin supplementation did not provoke any additional effects. Interestingly, muscular endurance of upper and lower body and aerobic performance at baseline were negatively associated with changes in circulating TGF-β at the early phase of the study. Furthermore, drop-outs of the study were characterised not only by lower physical performance but also higher TGF-β and TGF-βRI mRNA expression, and lower miRNA-21 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Progressive resistance training with elastic bands did not influence chronic low-grade inflammation but potentially affected TGF-β signalling in PBMCs through altered TGF-βRI mRNA expression. There appears to be an association between physical performance and TGF-β expression in PBMCs of older adults, in which the exact mechanisms need to be clarified.
authors.affiliation: Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schober-Halper
authors.affiliation: Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.affiliation: Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oesen
authors.affiliation: Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Franzke
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports and Exercise Physiology, Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Auf der Schmelz 6, 1150 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Karl Landsteiner Institute for Remobilization and Functional Health/Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaiser Franz Joseph Hospital, Social Medical Centre - South, Kundratstrasse 3, 1100 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva-Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Strasser
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports and Exercise Physiology, Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Auf der Schmelz 6, 1150 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bachl
authors.affiliation: Karl Landsteiner Institute for Remobilization and Functional Health/Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaiser Franz Joseph Hospital, Social Medical Centre - South, Kundratstrasse 3, 1100 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quittan
authors.affiliation: Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria ; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria ; Department of Sports and Exercise Physiology, Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Auf der Schmelz 6, 1150 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9061-7914
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wessner
keywords: Chronic inflammation; Inflammageing; Strength training; TGF-β pathway; Vienna Active Ageing Study (VAAS); microRNA