Overview
- The experiment used pre- and post-exercise serum from 30 overweight or obese adults aged 50–78 following a 10–12 minute high-intensity cycling bout.
- Post-exercise blood showed increases in 13 proteins, including interleukin‑6, and reshaped activity of more than 1,300 genes in colon cancer cells in vitro.
- Gene pathways tied to DNA repair (including activation of PNKP) and mitochondrial energy metabolism were boosted, while genes linked to rapid proliferation were suppressed.
- Researchers report slower cancer cell growth in lab dishes and plan follow-up work on repeated exercise bouts and interactions with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
- Public-health voices underscore staying active, noting guidance to target at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, as bowel cancer diagnoses approach 44,000 annually in the UK.