Cardiorespiratory fitness and C-reactive protein among a tri-ethnic sample of women

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2002-07, Vol.106 (4), p.403-406
• Main Authors: LAMONTE, Michael J, DURSTINE, J. Larry, YANOWITZ, Frank G, LIM, Tobin, DUBOSE, Katrina D, DAVIS, Paul, AINSWORTH, Barbara E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Black or African American; Black People; Body Mass Index; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary Disease - ethnology; Coronary Disease - etiology; Coronary heart disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise Test; Female; Heart; Humans; Indians, North American; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Physical Fitness; Risk Factors; White People
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000025425.20606.69

Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Cardiorespiratory fitness ("fitness") is related with lower CHD risk; however, its relationship with CRP is relatively unknown. Cross-sectional associations between fitness and plasma CRP were examined among 135 African American (AA), Native American (NA), and Caucasian (CA) women (55+/-11 year; 28+/-6 kg/m2). Fitness was assessed with a maximal treadmill exercise test. Plasma CRP concentrations were determined with the Dade Behring high-sensitivity immunoassay. Geometric mean CRP levels were 0.43, 0.25, and 0.23 mg/dL, and average maximal MET levels of fitness were 7.2, 9.1, and 10 METs for AA, NA, and CA, respectively. CRP decreased across tertiles of fitness (P=0.002), increased across tertiles of BMI (P=0.0007), and varied by race (P=0.002). After adjustment for covariates, lower CRP (P0.19 mg/dL) were 0.67 (95% CI=0.19 to 2.4) among fit (>6.5 METs) versus unfit women. The health benefits from enhanced fitness may have an antiinflammatory mechanism.