Received on ,
Accepted on ,

Brief Communication

Increased Complement Factor H with Decreased Factor B Determined by Proteomic Differential Displays as a Biomarker of Tai Chi Chuan Exercise

¹ Proteomic Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital–Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
² Proteomic Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital–Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan
³ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital–Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
⁴ Chang Gung Institute of Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan, and Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital–Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: yangkd.yeh{at}msa.hinet.net.

BACKGROUND: Exhaustive exercise can be associated with short-term immune suppression, but moderate exercise such as tai chi chuan (TCC) has been shown to have beneficial effects on immunity. The mechanisms for the health benefits of exercise remain to be determined, and no potential biomarkers for these beneficial health effects have been identified. This study investigated serum proteomic markers in individuals participating in TCC exercise.

METHODS: Two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis was used to compare proteomic markers in 3 individuals before and after 12 weeks of TCC exercise. The different protein spots were identified by mass spectrometry and validated in an additional 20 individuals by western blot analysis.

RESULTS: We identified 39 protein spots for 18 proteins with a significant increase or decrease after TCC exercise. Validation of the differentially displayed proteins with 20 paired pre- and postexercise samples revealed a significant increase in complement factor H (P = 0.0034) associated with decreases in C1q esterase inhibitor (P = 0.0038) and complement factor B (P = 0.0029).

CONCLUSIONS: In this first study of proteomic biomarkers of TCC exercise, we found an increase in complement factor H associated with a decrease in complement factor B. Complement factor H is involved in protection from microangiopathy and macular degeneration and may represent a useful marker of the health effects of exercise.