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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2013

01-02-2013 | Original Article

Physical Activity and Differential Methylation of Breast Cancer Genes Assayed from Saliva: A Preliminary Investigation

Authors: Angela D. Bryan, Ph.D., Renee E. Magnan, Ph.D., Ann E. Caldwell Hooper, M.A., Nicole Harlaar, Ph.D., Kent E. Hutchison, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Individuals who exercise are at lower risk for breast cancer and have better post-diagnosis outcomes. The biological mechanisms behind this association are unclear, but DNA methylation has been suggested.

Methods

We developed a composite measure of DNA methylation across 45 CpG sites on genes selected a priori. We examined the association of this measure to self-reported physical activity and objectively measured cardiovascular fitness in a sample of healthy nonsmoking adults (n = 64) in an exercise promotion intervention.

Results

Individuals who were more physically fit and who exercised more minutes per week had lower levels of DNA methylation. Those who increased their minutes of physical activity over 12 months experienced decreases in DNA methylation.

Conclusions

DNA methylation may be a mechanism linking exercise and cancer incidence and could serve as a biomarker for behavioral intervention trials. Studies with larger samples, objectively measured exercise, and more cancer-related markers are needed.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Physical Activity and Differential Methylation of Breast Cancer Genes Assayed from Saliva: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors
Angela D. Bryan, Ph.D.
Renee E. Magnan, Ph.D.
Ann E. Caldwell Hooper, M.A.
Nicole Harlaar, Ph.D.
Kent E. Hutchison, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9411-4

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