Middle-distance running acutely influences the concentration and composition of serum bile acids: Potential implications for cancer risk?

Abstract

BackgroundThis study was aimed to investigate the acute effect of medium-distance running on bile acids concentration and composition, in order to verify whether the positive impact of physical exercise on cancer risk may also be mediated by variation of bile acids concentration and composition in serum.MethodsThe concentration and composition of serum bile acids was analyzed in 30 middle-aged and healthy recreational athletes with a reference liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique, immediately before and shortly after the end of the running trial. The concentration of bile acids after the run was adjusted for plasma volume change.ResultsAll athletes successfully completed the trial. After correction of values for the individual plasma volume change calculated after the run, the serum concentration of total bile acids was found to be significantly reduced by approximately 46%. A statistically significant decrease was observed for cholic, deoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, glycoursodeoxycholic and hyodeoxycholic acids, whereas the concentration of the remaining compounds remained unvaried after the run. A considerable variation of bile acids profile was also observed. No significant association was found between running performance and variation of bile acids concentrations.ConclusionThese results show that middle distance running acutely decreases the concentration of total bile acids in serum, especially that of the more mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, so providing an intriguing support to the favorable effects of physical exercise for lowering the risk of many gastrointestinal cancers.

Exercising the hepatobiliary‐gut axis. The impact of physical activity performance

“…[173][174][175] BAs activate intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) which, in turn, increases the expression of the human enterokine fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) leading to activation of the hepatic FGF4 receptor/b-clotho and subsequent small heterodimer-mediated inhibition of BA synthesis. The situation might differ in humans: both faecal and serum concentrations of BAs were significantly decreased in runners, 177,178 with less mutagenic secondary BAs. However, a recent study in mice found that physical activity indeed stimulated BA secretion and faecal output; a mechanism likely mediated by increased reverse cholesterol transport and is independent on upregulation of genes involved in BA synthesis and FXR-FGF15 (FGF19 in humans) feedback.…”

“…16 Thus, one might speculate that increased intestinal motility would also increase BA flow and therefore FXR expression, with ultimate inhibition of BA synthesis. 178 FXR pathways, however, were not investigated in these studies. 176 Metabolic post-transcriptional mechanisms (ie, increased fatty acid absorption) might be involved, instead.…”

“…176 Metabolic post-transcriptional mechanisms (ie, increased fatty acid absorption) might be involved, instead. The situation might differ in humans: both faecal and serum concentrations of BAs were significantly decreased in runners, 177,178 with less mutagenic secondary BAs. 178 FXR pathways, however, were not investigated in these studies.…”

Mechanisms underlying the effects of nutrition, adiposity and physical activity on colorectal cancer risk

“…In 30 healthy individuals, running reduced serum concentration of total bile acids by almost 50% (Danese et al . ). These effects may result from acute reduction in serum cholesterol, which subsequently limits bile acid synthesis in the liver, and by the modulation of triglyceride and/or cholesterol levels.…”

“Running with cancer”: a qualitative study to evaluate barriers and motivations in running for female oncological patients

“…A purposive sample was employed to recruit women who had participated at “Run for Science” (R4S) project(15). Inclusion criteria for the experimental group (oncological group – OG) were: female participant, had been diagnosed with cancer, being ≥ 18 years of age and participating in R4S event.…”