Kynurenine Metabolism as a Mechanism to Improve Fatigue and Physical Function in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors Following Resistance Training

oleh: Ronna N. Robbins, Jessica L. Kelleher, Priyathama Vellanki, Jason C. O’Connor, Jennifer S. Mascaro, Joe R. Nocera, Monica C. Serra

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-06-01

Deskripsi

This pilot examines whether resistance training (RT) can induce changes in kynurenine (KYN) metabolism, which may contribute to improved physical function in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Thirty-six BCSs (63.2 ± 1.1 years) underwent assessments of physical function and visual analog scale (100 cm) fatigue and quality of life before and after 12 weeks of RT (N = 22) or non-exercise control (CBCT©: Cognitively Based Compassion Training, N = 10). Blood was collected before and after interventions for assessment of KYN, kynurenic acid (KYNA), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α). At baseline, the women were moderately fatigued (mean score: 46 cm) and at risk of poor functional mobility. A group*time interaction was observed for all measures of strength with improvements (~25–35%) following RT (<i>p</i>’s < 0.01), but not CBCT. Time effects were observed for fatigue (−36%) and quality of life (5%) (<i>p</i>’s < 0.01), where both groups improved in a similar manner. A group*time interaction was observed for KYN (<i>p</i> = 0.02) and PGC-1α (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with KYN decreasing and PGC-1α increasing following RT and the opposite following CBCT. These changes resulted in KYN/KYNA decreasing 34% post-RT, but increasing 21% following CBCT. These data support RT as a therapeutic intervention to counteract the long-term side effect of fatigue and physical dysfunction in BCSs. Additionally, the results suggest that this effect may be mediated through the activation of PGC-1α leading to alterations in KYN metabolism.