Biologic and epigenetic impact of commuting to work by car or using public transportation: A case-control study

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

卷:54

Article

Morabia, Alfredo^1,2  Zhang, Fang Fang³  Kappil, Maya A.²  Flory, Janine^4,6  Mirer, Frank E.⁵  Santella, Regina M.²  Wolff, Mary⁶  Markowitz, Steven B.¹ 

[1] CUNY, Queens Coll, Ctr Biol Nat Syst, Flushing, NY 11367 USA

[2] Columbia Univ, New York, NY USA

[3] Tufts Univ, Boston, MA 02111 USA

[4] James J Peters VA Med Ctr, Bronx, NY USA

[5] CUNY, Hunter Coll, Flushing, NY 11367 USA

[6] Mt Sinai Sch Med, New York, NY USA

关键词: Transportation;    Physical activity;    Inflammation;    Epigenetic;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.01.019

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Background and aims. Commuting by public transportation (PT) entails more physical activity and energy expenditure than by cars, but its biologic consequences are unknown. Methods. In 2009-2010, we randomly sampled New York adults, usually commuting either by car (n =79) or PT (n = 101). Measures comprised diet and physical activity questionnaires, weight and height, white blood cell (WBC) count, C reactive protein, (CRP) gene-specific methylation (IL-6), and global genomic DNA methylation (LINE-1 methylation). Results. Compared to the 101 PT commuters, the 79 car drivers were about 9 years older, 2 kg/m(2) heavier, more often non-Hispanic whites, and ate more fruits and more meats. The 2005 guidelines for physical activity were met by more car drivers than PT users (78.5% vs. 65.0%). There were no differences in median levels of CRP (car vs. PT: 0.6 vs. 0.5 mg/dl), mean levels of WBC (car vs. PT: 6.7 vs. 6.5 cells/mm(3)), LINE-1 methylation (car vs. PT: 78.0% vs. 78.3%), and promoter methylation of IL-6 (car vs. PT: 56.1% vs. 58.0%). Conclusions. PT users were younger and lighter than car drivers, but their commute mode did not translate into a lower inflammatory response or a higher DNA methylation, maybe because, overall, car drivers were more physically active. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

Free