Aging
Conditions
Keywords
physical activity, stem cells, lifestyle
Brief summary
This is a pilot study to develop a collaborative, translational research project investigating whether physical activity may in part exert a positive influence on aging via the mobilization of stem cells. Preliminary data will be collected to explore the relationship between physical activity and stem cell populations found in the blood. The study hypothesis is that stem cell decrease with age, but that persons who are more physically active will have a higher number of stem cells in the blood. The first assessment will include an evaluation of health, physical activity and lifestyle via questionnaires. Height, weight and abdominal girth will be measured, and blood will be drawn for immune and stem cell assessment. Participants will be given a pedometer and accelerometer to wear daily for 7 days. Participants will return for a second visit at which the pedometer and accelerometer will be returned and blood will be drawn. Stem cell and immune assays will be repeated to evaluate the variability of these measures over time. The correlation between stem cell numbers and physical activity will be analyzed.
Detailed description
Increased numbers of circulating stem cells and physical activity are both associated with improved health in older persons. This pilot study is the initial step in developing a collaborative, translational research project investigating whether physical activity may in part exert a positive influence on aging via the mobilization of stem cells. The specific aim of this pilot project is to collect preliminary data to explore the relationship between physical activity and stem cell populations found in the blood and to determine the variance in the number of circulating stem cells. We hypothesize that stem cell decrease with age, but that persons who are more physically active will have a higher number of stem cells in the blood. A maximum of 40 persons will be recruited to participate. Persons are eligible to participate if they are age 60 or older, haven't been hospitalized recently, do not have an immunologic or blood disease, do not have an infection, and are not undergoing chemotherapy. Subjects will have 2 visits to the UNMC Clinical Research Center (CRC). The first assessment will include an evaluation of health, physical activity and lifestyle via questionnaires. Height, weight and abdominal girth will be measured, and blood will be drawn for immune and stem cell assessment. Subjects will be given a pedometer and accelerometer to wear daily for 7 days. Subjects will return to the CRC for a second visit at which the pedometer and accelerometer will be returned and blood will be drawn. Stem cell and immune assays will be repeated to evaluate the variability of these measures over time. The correlation between stem cell numbers and physical activity will be analyzed. The data will be used to perform sample size calculations for the development of future studies.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University of Nebraska
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to 105 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 60 years of age or older
Exclusion criteria
* Hospitalization within 2 months prior * Immunological disease * Hematopoietic disease * No current infection * No current chemotherapy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| circulating stem cells | upon enrollment, one week later | Number of circulating stem cells determined by lab |
| physical activity | upon enrollment | physical activity as reported |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| alcohol consumption | upon enrollment | alcohol consumption as reported |
| smoking history | upon enrollment | smoking history as reported |
| plasma cytokine levels | upon enrollment, one later | plasma cytokine levels determined by lab |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed