Colorado Springs, Colorado – June 15, 2013 
The following research abstracts were presented at the 2013 International Society of Sports Nutrition Annual Meeting and will be published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition:

Effects of exercise and diet-induced weight loss on markers of inflammation I: impact on body composition and markers of health and fitness
K Levers, S Simbo, E Galvan, YP Jung, C Baetge, B Lockard, A Jagim, M Byrd, C Rasmussen, R Kreider, Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

Background
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of participating in a resistance-exercise based circuit training program while adhering to a higher protein diet designed to preserve fat free mass (FFM) during weight loss on body composition and markers of health. Then, in a companion paper, determine if exercise and diet-induced weight loss affect markers of inflammation.

Methods
48 sedentary women (48.2±10.5 yr, 45.9±4.4% body fat, 35.6±5.6kg/m2) were randomized to participate in the Curves® weight loss and exercise program (EX, n=28) or control group (C, n=20) for 12-wks. Participants followed an energy-restricted diet (1,200 kcal/d for 1-week and 1,500 kcal/d for 11 weeks; 30% CHO, 45% P, and 25% F) while participating in a circuit resistance-training (4 d/wk) program. On one of the four exercise days, Zumba® dance was interspersed with the circuit resistance stations, wherein participants completed 60 seconds of resistance exercise followed by 60 seconds of dance. On the other three days of the 4 d/wk program, the workout included 30 seconds of resistance-exercise interspersed with 30 seconds of continuous movement (calisthenics, dance, etc.). DEXA body composition and fasting blood samples were obtained at 0 and 12-wks and analyzed by MANOVA. Data are presented as changes from baseline after 12-wks for the EX and C groups.

Results
Overall MANOVA analysis revealed a significant group x time effect (p=0.004) for body composition measures. Univariate analysis revealed that participants in the EX group experienced greater changes in body weight (EX -4.0±4.4 kg; C 0.1±3.0 kg, p=0.001), fat mass (EX -3.8±4.0 kg; C -0.03±2.0 kg, p<0.001), and percent body fat (EX -2.7±3.4%; C -0.1±1.7%, p=0.002). No differences among groups were observed in FFM (EX -0.2±2.0 kg; C 0.1±2.3 kg, p=0.59). Overall MANOVA analysis revealed a non-significant group x time effect (p=0.21) for blood markers. Although positive trends were observed, univariate analysis revealed no significant differences among groups for triglycerides (EX -6.7±26.4%; C 0.1±24.4%, p=0.37), total cholesterol (EX -3.6±10.0%; C -2.2±10.7%, p=0.65), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (EX 2.5±15.1%; C -5.0±10.5%, p=0.06); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (EX -4.7±11.5%; C -4.0±16.8%, p=0.86) or blood glucose (EX -0.6±14.5%; C -1.3±8.4%, p=0.85). Overall MANOVA analysis revealed a significant group x time effect (p=0.003) for measures of fitness. Univariate analysis revealed that participants in EX group experienced greater changes in peak oxygen uptake (EX 13.6±17.0%; C -2.2±10.3%, p=0.001) and upper body 1RM strength (EX 8.7±12.5%; C -1.2±13.9%, p=0.016) while no differences were observed among groups in changes in lower body 1-RM strength (EX 15.0±21.9%; C 13.8±23.7%, p=0.86).

Conclusion
Results indicate that 12-wks of participation in the exercise and diet-induced weight loss program involving a structured meal plan and a supervised exercise program promoted weight loss, improvements in body composition, and improvements in some markers of health and fitness. Theoretically, if obesity is associated with inflammation, effective weight loss may lessen levels of inflammation.

Supported by Curves International (Waco, TX)

Effects of exercise and diet-induced weight loss on markers of inflammation II: impact on microRNA 21 and microRNA 146a expression and their regulatory role
S Simbo1, A Roque-Andrade2, S Mertens-Talcott2, C Rasmussen1, R Kreider1. Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, 1Department of Health and Kinesiology, 2Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843

Background
Obesity has been associated with inflammation. However, the mechanisms are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine if exercise and diet-induced weight loss would affect markers of inflammation via the Phosphatase and Tensin homologue Deleted from Chromosome-10 (PTEN), TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3k), Protein Kinase B (AKT or PKB), Nuclear Factor kappa Beta (NF-kB) signaling pathway through the regulation of microRNA 21 and microRNA 146a expression.

Methods
Forty-five overweight and sedentary women (48.16±10.5 yr, 45.9±4.4% body fat, BMI 35.6±5.6 kg/m2) were randomized into a control group (C, n=18) or an exercise and diet-induced weight loss group (EX, n=27). Participants followed an energy-restricted diet (1,200 kcal/d for 1 week and 1,500 kcal/d for 11weeks; 30% CHO, 45% P, and 25% F) while participating in a circuit resistance-training (3d/wk) program. The resistance training program included 30 seconds of resistance exercise interspersed with 30 seconds of continuous movement (calisthenics). Whole blood samples were obtained at 0 and 12 wks and centrifuged immediately to obtain white blood cells buffy coat for mRNA isolation. The microRNA (21 and 146a) and mRNA of IL-6, TNF-a, (PTEN, TRAF6)/PI3k/AKT/NF-kB signaling pathway expression levels were measured in serum/WBC (buffy coat) by real-time RT-PCR and normalized using ΔΔCt formula with U6B as a normalization control for the microRNAs and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an endogenous control for mRNAs. The ΔΔCt formula, Ct represents the real time cycle number at which microRNA and mRNA probe fluorescence is exponential. Data were analyzed by MANOVA and presented as changes from baseline after 12 wks.

Results
An overall significant MANOVA interaction was observed among EX and C groups (Wilks’ Lambda p<0.001). MANOVA univariate analysis revealed no significant interactions among groups in changes in microRNA 146a (EX -0.73±2.0; C -0.28±2.1, p=0.46); TRAF6 (EX –1.35±2.7; C -0.74±3.5, p=0.52); mRNA expression levels of PI3K (EX -2.4±4.5; C -1.8±2.9, p=0.66); AKT (EX -1.34±4.2; C -0.67±7.4, p=0.70); or, mRNA NF-kB (EX -1.6±3.2; C -0.73±3.2, p=0.40). Significant interactions were observed among groups in changes in microRNA 21 (EX -1.5±2.34; C 0.13±2.2, p=0.03); mRNA expression level of its target gene PTEN (EX -4.5±3.2; C -1.6±3.4, p=0.005); mRNA IL-6 (EX -2.8±3.6; C 2.8±2.2, p=0.000); and, mRNA TNF-a expression levels (EX -0.52±2.5; C 2.3±1.9, p=0.000). Exercise and diet-induced changes in mRNA IL-6 and mRNA TNF-a expression were positively and significantly correlated to changes in body weight (r=0.47, r=0.30), fat mass (r=0.48, r=0.31), and percent body fat (r=0.48. r=0.32), respectively.

Conclusion
Results of this study indicate that exercise and diet-induced weight loss affects molecular changes in circulating microRNAs, significantly affects microRNA 21 and its target gene PTEN, mRNA TNF-a, and mRNA IL-6 levels suggesting a anti-inflammatory response compared to a control group. These findings suggest that exercise and diet-induced weight loss is significantly associated with a reduction in inflammation. However, more research is needed to understand microRNA regulation associated with inflammation in response to exercise.

Supported by Curves International (Waco, TX)