A Low or High Physical Activity Level Does Not Modulate Prostate Tumor Tissue Protein Synthesis Rates

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Metabolism
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Physical activity influences cancer development and progression.
• Prostate cancer patients' protein synthesis rates were examined in relation to physical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the impact of low versus high physical activity on protein synthesis in skeletal muscle, healthy prostate, and prostate tumor tissue in vivo.
• To investigate the short-term effects of physical activity levels on prostate cancer metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Thirty prostate cancer patients were randomized into low (<4000 steps/day) or high (>14,000 steps/day) activity groups for 7 days before surgery.
• Deuterium oxide was administered, and tissue samples were collected during radical prostatectomy to measure protein synthesis rates.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in protein synthesis rates were found in skeletal muscle, healthy prostate, or prostate tumor tissue between the low and high activity groups.
• Prostate tumor tissue exhibited nearly twofold higher protein synthesis rates compared to non-tumorous prostate tissue.

Conclusions:

• Short-term high or low physical activity levels do not alter in vivo protein synthesis rates in prostate or prostate tumor tissue in prostate cancer patients.
• Further investigation is warranted to understand the influence of physical activity on tumor protein synthesis and progression, informing potential lifestyle interventions for cancer prevention and treatment.