Relationships between inflammatory and metabolic markers, exercise, and body composition in young individuals

Physical exercise may help combat disease and elicits a possible "protective" anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), along with transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) in young (n=16, 21.1±2.1 years) individuals were examined in a cross-sectional descriptive study, to assess the effects of chronic stimulation on their expression and relationship with health parameters.

Fasting venous whole blood and lipid levels along with body composition measurements were obtained from young, healthy, endurance-trained NCAA Division III student-athletes and untrained individuals. Assays (ELISA) were conducted to analyze fasting plasma (CRP, IL-6, and TNFα) and isolated lymphocyte NF-κB activation (lymphocytes were isolated from whole blood samples through differential centrifugation and Ficoll-Paque). A Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient was used for associations between variables and a regression analysis was performed to determine which measurement accounted for the inflammation in this young and apparently healthy population.

While the inflammatory markers were not associated with each other, CRP levels were associated with body composition and following regression analyses, body fat percentage (P>0.05) was a significant factor for elevated CRP.

Chronic physical exercise eliciting lower body fat percentages in young adults may have a positive protective impact through anti-inflammatory status, minimizing disease risk in a young population.

Chronic physically active young adult patients may exhibit less inflammation and lower body fat levels which may decrease their risk for chronic disease.