Effects of aerobic training on oxidative status in postsurgical non-small cell lung cancer patients: a pilot study

Oxidative stress is postulated to contribute to the initiation, promotion, and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated the effects of supervised, moderate-intensity aerobic training on urinary markers of oxidative status in patients with postsurgical NSCLC.

Sixteen patients with histologically confirmed stage I-IIIB NSCLC were recruited. Exercise training consisted of aerobic cycle ergometry sessions at 60 to ≥70% of baseline peak workload 20-45 min·d(-1), 3 d·wk(-1)for 14 weeks. Oxidative status was assessed via four urinary F(2)-isoprostanes isomers: iPF (2-alpha)-III, 2,3-dinor-iPF(2 alpha)-III, iPF (2-alpha)-VI, and 8,12-iso-iPF(2 alpha)-VI using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was assessed using a maximal, incremental, cardiopulmonary exercise test with expired gas analysis.

A composite index of all four F2-isoprostanes isomers increased from baseline to post-intervention by 32% (p = 0.08). Concerning individual isomers, iPF (2-alpha)-III increased by 0.09 (+55%; p = .010), iPF (2-alpha)-VI by 0.81 (+29%; p = 0.04), and 8,12-iso-iPF(2 alpha)-VI by 0.59 (+28%; p = 0.07) from baseline to postintervention. There was no change in 2,3-dinor-iPF(2 alpha)-III levels. VO2peak increased 1.1 mL·kg·(-1) min(-1) (p = 0.14) and peak workload increased 10 Watts (p < .001). Change in VO2peak was not associated with change in markers of oxidative status.

Aerobic training was associated with significant increases in urinary measures of oxidative status in postsurgical NSCLC. The clinical implications of these findings are currently unknown. Further studies are required to elucidate the complex relationship between aerobic training, oxidative stress, tumor biology, and response to cytotoxic agents in mouse and human models of cancer.