title: Physical activity initiated by employer induces improvements in a novel set of biomarkers of inflammation: an 8-week follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers before and after 8 weeks of unsupervised physical activity (PA) initiated by employer.
  
  
  METHODS
  During autumn 2014, background data, blood samples and self-reported exercise level were collected from 76 men and 41 women in a Norwegian road maintenance company. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, adiponectin, p-selectin and CD40 ligand (CD40L) were analyzed. [Formula: see text] was measured in a subgroup of 50 subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With reference point of exercise ≤1 time/week, we found that participants who exercised 2-3 times/week had higher [Formula: see text] values (5.6 mL kg-1min-1; 95% CI [1.3, 9.9]). MCP-1 was lower in those who exercised ≥ 4 times/week (-81.98 pg/ml [-142.9, -21.0]). IL-6 and p-selectin levels were lower in females who exercised ≥4 times/week (-1.04 pg/ml [-2.04, -0.03] and -13.75 ng/ml [-24.03, -3.48]). Leptin was lower in participants who exercised 2-3 times/week (-0.39 µg/ml ln [-0.68, -0.09]) and ≥4 times/week (-0.69 µg/ml ln [-1.10, -0.28]). During follow-up, [Formula: see text] increased (2.9 mL kg-1min-1[1.5, 4.3]), while p-selectin and CD40L decreased (-2.33 ng/ml [-3.78, -0.87] and 718.14 ng/ml [-1368, -68]). MCP-1 levels decreased among men (-32.70 pg/ml [-51.21, -14.19]). A joint analysis of all biomarkers (inversed adiponectin) showed that those who exercised ≥4 times/week at baseline had lower total levels of biomarkers and that total biomarker levels decreased during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercising several times a week was associated with less inflammation compared to exercising once a week or less. During the 8-week follow-up, total levels of biomarkers of inflammation improved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Psychology and Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 8149 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Lars-Kristian
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lunde
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 8149 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway. oivind.skare@stami.no.
authors.forename: Øivind
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8043-2820
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Skare
authors.affiliation: The Blood Cell Research Group, Section of Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Norway.
authors.forename: Hans C D
authors.initials: HCD
authors.lastname: Aass
authors.affiliation: Norwegian School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Box 1190 Sentrum, 0107, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Asgeir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 8149 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Elín
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Einarsdóttir
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 8149 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ulvestad
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Box 8149 Dep., 0033, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skogstad
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D015415:Biomarkers; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Biomarkers of inflammation; Cardiovascular disease; Cytokines; Disease prevention; Health promotion; Physical activity