It is a well-known fact that any form of physical activity combined with diet improves quality of life and extends it. However, the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood.
Participants engaged in various forms of physical activity tailored to their current health condition at least three times a week. This included jogging, walking, cycling, or swimming for at least 30 minutes. During the 12-week study, all participants received continuous care from a nephrologist.
"The results surprised us with the extent of the increase in protective sRAGE levels in the participants' blood. The study demonstrates that a health-promoting lifestyle significantly affects the plasma concentration of this protein, which undoubtedly improves metabolic function," comments dr n. med. Leszek Niepolski.
Members of the student research group "Fizjom" at the Faculty of Medicine at Poznań Medical University, under the guidance of Dr. Leszek Niepolski, decided to investigate the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and a selected metabolic parameter – the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE).
sRAGE is a protein that plays a crucial role in many metabolic processes. Its plasma concentration correlates with various clinical pathologies, including counteracting harmful inflammatory states in cells.
Can the concentration of protective sRAGE be increased in patients with chronic kidney disease? The research, conducted by students and doctors, involved a group of 50 hemodialysis patients. For 12 weeks, participants followed a diet developed by a nutritionist tailored to the needs of dialysis patients. The diet included meals rich in fiber, plant-based fats, and lean meats, while being low in animal fats, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, as well as sugar and salt.
Preliminary findings from the study "Impact of a Health-Promoting Lifestyle on Plasma Levels of Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products (sRAGE) in Hemodialysis Patients" were presented by one of the medical students at PAM, Szymon Jęśko-Białek, at the VII National Conference of Student Scientific Associations "Research, Innovations, and Passions from the Perspective of Young Scientists" in Krosno. The work received the top award.
