Background: Increased aerobic capacity can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Aims: This study was designed to elucidate whether aerobic capacity is associated with inflammatory status.
Methods: The subjects included 90 overweight women [age, 51.5±10.7 yrs; body mass index (BMI), 28.1±2.5] with coronary risk factors who were outpatients at our institution. A multistage graded submaximal exercise stress test was performed on an electric bicycle ergometer to determine the estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2) max).
Results: Univariate regression analyses showed that monocyte, neutrophil counts, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were correlated with fasting triglycerides, fasting insulin, BMI, and waist circumference, while VO(2) max was negatively associated with monocyte and neutrophil counts, but not with hs-CRP. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a strong association of monocyte count with the fasting triglyceride and VO(2) max (r(2)=0.260, p<0.0001). Neutrophil count was also found to be associated with fasting triglyceride and fasting insulin (r(2)=0.114, p<0.0001), while hs-CRP was associated with fasting triglyceride and waist circumference (r(2)=0.151, p<0.0001).
Conclusions: These results suggest that VO(2) max is a sensitive factor that reflects the inflammatory status and might support cardiovascular protective effects of aerobic exercise in overweight women.