Relationship of dietary antioxidant intake, antioxidant serum capacity, physical activity and inflammation in breast cancer survivors and individuals without a history of cancer

Background: Dietary and serum antioxidants and physical activity can effect inflammation, which is associated with breast cancer risk and recurrence. This study investigated the relationship between diet, serum antioxidant capacity, physical activity, and inflammation in breast cancer survivors and individuals without cancer. Methods: Existing demographic, dietary intake, and physical activity data of 78 breast cancer survivors and 30 individuals without cancer from the Day and Night Study conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University were used. Participants were recruited from southern Virginia. Metabolic equivalents were calculated through type, intensity, and duration of physical activity. Dietary antioxidant intake (FRAP) was calculated from Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire data. Serum samples were analyzed for inflammation (hsCRP,IL-6,IL-1,and TNF alpha) and serum antioxidant capacity (ORAC) at Virginia Tech. Results: Anthropometrics and inflammation were higher, and FRAP and ORAC lower in breast cancer survivors compared to individuals without cancer, although not significant. There was a significant direct relationship between FRAP and ORAC and inverse relationship between FRAP and hsCRP. Breast cancer survivors 6+ years since diagnosis showed significant direct FRAP and IL-1 association, and inverse ORAC and TNF-alpha association. BMI was directly associated with IL-6 and CRP. Inflammation was not associated with METs or weekly activity, although there was an increasing inverse relation between METs, IL-1 and TNF- α with increasing ORAC. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between dietary antioxidant intake and serum antioxidant capacity and inflammation. Increased body mass index increases inflammation. Diets high in antioxidants and maintaining a healthy weight may help reduce inflammation in breast cancer survivors.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise

Department dc:contributor.department

Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Mozhi, Dimple Aneka

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Rafie, Carlin

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Ju, Young Hwa
• Schmelz, Eva M.
• Van Mullekom, Jennifer H.

• Breast cancer
• diet
• antioxidants
• physical activity
• inflammation

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:16589

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/83842