Physical activity and markers of glycation in older individuals: data from a combined cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial (EXAMIN AGE)

Mathias D. G. Van den Eynde, Lukas Streese, Alfons J. H. M. Houben, Coen D. A. Stehouwer, Jean L. J. M. Scheijen, Casper G. Schalkwijk*, Nordin M. J. Hanssen, Henner Hanssen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are protein modifications that are predominantly formed from dicarbonyl compounds that arise from glucose and lipid metabolism. AGEs and sedentary behavior have been identified as a driver of accelerated (vascular) aging. The effect of physical activity on AGE accumulation is unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether plasma AGEs and dicarbonyl levels are different across older individuals that were active or sedentary and whether plasma AGEs are affected by high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

Methods: We included healthy older active (HA, n=38, 44.7% female, 60.1 +/- 7.7 years old) and healthy older sedentary (HS, n=36, 72.2% female, 60.0 +/- 7.3 years old) individuals as well as older sedentary individuals with increased cardiovascular risk (SR, n=84, 50% female, 58.7 +/- 6.6 years old). The SR group was randomized into a 12-week walking-based HIIT program or control group. We measured protein-bound and free plasma AGEs and dicarbonyls by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) at baseline and after the HIIT intervention.

Results: Protein-bound AGE Ne-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) was lower in SR (2.6 +/- 0.5 mu mol/l) and HS (3.1 +/- 0.5 mu mol/l) than in HA (3.6 +/- 0.6 mu mol/l; P

Discussion: Although lifestyle interventions may act as important modulators of cardiovascular risk, HIIT is not a potent short-term intervention to reduce glycation in older individuals, underlining the need for other approaches, such as pharmacological agents, to reduce AGEs and lower cardiovascular risk in this population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1095-1105
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Science
Volume134
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2020

Keywords

  • DICARBONYL STRESS
  • END-PRODUCTS
  • CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS
  • VASCULAR FUNCTION
  • OXIDATIVE STRESS
  • EXERCISE
  • MECHANISMS
  • INFLAMMATION
  • ENDPRODUCTS
  • OVERWEIGHT

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