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IDENTIFYING SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR INTERRUPTION STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

Abstract

Suhani Ramchandra, Lauren C. Bates, Lee Stoner, FACSM. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.

Background: Breast cancer survivors have compromised immune systems, which puts them at heightened risk for a recurrent events and cardiovascular disease (CVD). One viable therapy for improving the immune system is exercise. It does this by enhancing vascular endothelial function and increasing NK cell count and activity. However, exercise uptake and adherence are low. Alternatively, substituting sedentary behavior (SB), defined as low-intensity behavior in a seated or reclined posture, with low intensity activities may be a suitable alternative. The aim of the proposed study is to determine whether substituting SB with 5 min walking, either once or twice per hour, increases NK cell activity in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty middle-aged breast cancer survivors, aged 18 to 45 years, will be recruited. Data will be collected through a randomized, controlled crossover trial incorporating two experimental conditions. Each condition will consist of a 2.5-hour bout of sitting without (control) or with SB substitution (walking 5 minutes once per hour or walking for 5 minutes twice per hour). Changes in endothelial function will be measured via flow mediated dilation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be isolated and NK cells will be analyzed via flow cytometry. Changes in flow mediated dilation and NK cells across the three conditions will be analyzed using separate mixed models, with subject specified as random and time and condition as fixed. Hypothesized findings: We hypothesize that, compared to the control group, NK cell activity will increase for the two walking substitution conditions compared to the control condition (uninterrupted sitting). Additionally, we hypothesis that the increase in NK cell activity will be greatest for the twice per hour walking condition. Recommending SB substitution with walking may be a simple, and cost-effective strategy to increase NK cell activity and potentially reduce CVD risk in breast cancer survivors.

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