Effect of Exercise on Elevated C-reactive Protein Concentrations in Formerly Inactive Adults

July 28, 2016 updated by: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

INFLAME: Inflammation and Exercise

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of exercise training on elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, an indicator of inflammation, in initially inactive women and men.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND:

CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation, has been reported to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in both women and men. Recently published data from cross-sectional analyses showed that CRP is inversely related to cardiorespiratory fitness, and that this association is independent of body mass index. Regular exercise may affect CRP levels, and can possibly be used as a means of reducing elevated CRP levels. Though there are a number of studies focusing on related topics, there are no published reports from randomized clinical trials on the effect of exercise training alone on CRP levels.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

An estimated 200 individuals will be randomly assigned to either a no exercise control group or an exercise group. Exercising individuals will participate in 3 or 4 training sessions each week for 4 months, and will progress to a total energy expenditure of 16 kcal [kg(-1), week(-1)], which is an exercise dose at the upper end of current public health recommendations for physical activity. The target exercise intensity will be 50-70% of baseline volume of oxygen consumed (V02 max). VO2 max is the maximal rate of oxygen consumption during exercise, and is a measurement of fitness. The primary outcome measure will be plasma CRP concentration. Secondary outcomes will be changes in variables that are potential mechanisms through which regular exercise might reduce CRP. These variables include visceral adiposity, the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and heart rate variability as a measure of autonomic balance. Although the primary outcome is CRP level, this study will also contribute significantly to the limited body of literature examining the effect of exercise on the variables of visceral adiposity, cytokines, and heart rate variability.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

162

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Louisiana
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, 70808
        • Pennington Biomedical Research Center, LSU System

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Physically inactive
  • C-reactive protein level at least 2.0 mg/L but less than 10.0 mg/L upon study entry
  • Body mass index between 18.5 kg/square meter and 40.0 kg/square meter as measured at study entry
  • Does not smoke
  • Total cholesterol at least 240 mg/dl with LDL-C at least 160 mg/dl OR LDL less than 190 mg/dl and Framingham less than 10%
  • Triglyceride levels no higher than 300 mg/dl
  • Fasting glucose level less than 126
  • Systolic blood pressure less than 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg as measured at study entry
  • If taking an oral contraceptive, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications, must be on a stable dose for 6 months prior to study entry
  • If taking a cholesterol medication, including statins, blood pressure medication (including ace inhibitors), or multi-vitamins, must be on a stable dose for 2 months prior to study entry

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Using a beta blocker, hormone replacement therapy, or corticosteroids (except inhalers)
  • Any rheumatologic, orthopedic, neurological, or autoimmune diseases, or seizure disorder
  • Any significant cardiovascular disease or disorders including, but not limited to, stent or coronary artery bypass grafting
  • Cardiac dysrhythmias including, but not limited to, left bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker, or automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator
  • Any surgery, broken bones, blood donation, or anaphylactic shock within 6 months of study entry
  • Any sprain or strain, removal of wisdom teeth, or use of antibiotics within 3 months of study entry
  • History of stroke or TIA
  • History of cancer within at least 5 years of study entry
  • Diabetes or glucose intolerance
  • Planning on participating in any other research trials during the next year
  • Currently pregnant
  • Planning to becoming pregnant during the next year

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Plasma CRP concentration (measured at Month 4)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Changes in visceral adiposity, the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and heart rate variability (measured at Month 4)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Timothy S. Church, Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

July 1, 2004

Study Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 3, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 3, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

June 6, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

July 29, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 28, 2016

Last Verified

December 1, 2007

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 180
  • R01HL075442 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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