Meta-analysis of datasets, investigating the impact of varying intensities/modes of exercise on biomarkers of inflammation as a result of exercise, and their links to Cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise is a significant factor in reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes mellitus. One way in which exercise lowers the risk of the development of inflammatory diseases is through the regulation of plasma lipids. The current project aimed to investigate whether varying modes and intensities of exercise had a significantly different effect on biomarkers of inflammation. Biomarkers chosen for the project were the Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR) and its downstream target genes, Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). PPAR and its target genes are associated with lipid metabolism, and so total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol were also selected. Methods: Data was extracted from 4 studies carried out by previous Cardiff Metropolitan University students to identify whether different modes and intensities of exercise had a significantly different effect on the biomarkers. Results: Each study showed significant increases in expression of CD36 and mostly significant increases in PPAR and ABCA1. The differences between expression in each study however, was deemed to be non-significant as a result of One-way ANOVA analysis with a p>0.05. Generally there were slight improvements in total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, where differences between studies were also considered to be non-significant via One-way ANOVA analysis.