A cohort study on the association of physical activity with DNA methylation and inflammatory markers in blood and risk of lifestyle-related diseases

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26293141
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Epidemiology and preventive medicine
• Research Institution: Saga University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Keitaro 佐賀大学, 医学部, 教授 (50217022)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 原 めぐみ 佐賀大学, 医学部, 准教授 (90336115) ; 西田 裕一郎 佐賀大学, 医学部, 講師 (50530185) ; 島ノ江 千里 佐賀大学, 医学部, 助教 (10734064) ; 大桃 秀樹 岩手医科大学, その他, 助教 (90453406)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): HIGAKI Yasuki 福岡大学, スポーツ科学部, 教授 (10228702)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 身体活動 / 末梢血DNAメチル化 / 炎症マーカー / 生活習慣病 / 脳梗塞 / ASC遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We examined the association of accelerometer-determined physical activity (PA) with ASC gene methylation in white blood cells, based on a cohort study of about 12 thousand residents in Saga city. We also evaluated the association between PA and ischemic stroke and if it is mediated by ASC methylation. In cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, PA (particularly with low intensity) was positively associated with ASC methylation while ASC methylation was inversely associated with blood inflammatory markers. In a case-cohort study, neither an association between PA and ischemic stroke nor a mediating role of ASC methylation was evident. PA may cause higher ASC methylation, thereby leading to lower systemic inflammation.

Free Research Field

疫学、予防医学、公衆衛生