InPAIG AxSpA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Interaction of Physical Activity with Inflammation and Gut health in Axial Spondyloarthritis
IRAS ID
279047
Contact name
Madhura Castelino
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis where the main symptom is back pain. This condition affects adults early in life with an onset of symptoms usually before age 40 and therefore can have a significant impact on an individual during their lifetime. The medicines available for treatment of AxSpA are limited to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and two biologic therapies (more powerful drugs based on components of the immune system). An important part of management of AxSpA is the incorporation of daily exercise or increasing physical activity of an affected individual. There are obvious benefits that people experience namely, increased flexibility, increased range of movement, and improved sleep and posture. However, the effect of exercise on inflammation is not well understood in the context of AxSpA. There is conflicting evidence to the effect of exercise or increased physical activity on the immune system in health, with high intensity activity thought to suppress the immune system whereas moderate intensity activities may promote immune responses.
There are several ways in which increased physical activity can affect the immune system. It could be directly through the effects on the immune cells and the substances secreted by these cells or indirectly through other organ systems. Interestingly, the gut plays an important role in the development and regulation of the immune system. Humans harbour numerous microbes in the body, especially in the gut, and there is evidence that in chronic inflammatory diseases such as AxSpA the microbial composition may be altered, and the gut barrier may be disrupted. Our research aims to understand whether a moderate level of physical activity is associated with lower level of inflammation in AxSpA and whether there is a link with microbial composition and the health of the gut.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0149
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion