RECRUITING

Mitochondrial DNA Signatures of Poor Aerobic Exercise Trainability in Young Adults Born Preterm

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Young adults born very preterm (32 weeks gestation or earlier) do not respond well to aerobic exercise training, meeting the recommendations set by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, where they do not increase their fitness level (or cardiorespiratory fitness). Thus, they do not receive the health benefits of exercise. Achieving physical fitness through aerobic exercise training is the most cost-effective method for preventing and treating many diseases. Young adults born very preterm also have a higher risk of these conditions. Thus, their inability to respond to increase their fitness is a major problem. One likely explanation for poor exercise trainability and increased heart disease risk in young adults born very preterm is the effect of the early birth on the major energy producers in all our cells: Mitochondria. During late-stage gestation, mitochondria change from relying on sugar as a major fuel source to fat. Unfortunately, individuals born very preterm miss this transition in fuel source reliance, which causes significant stress and damage to mitochondria. Mitochondria are critical for post-natal organ development; thus, it is thought that preterm birth-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is the underlying cause of poor trainability and high disease risk in young adults born very preterm. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction is evident in these individuals. To date, there is not a way to help young adults born preterm improve their fitness level. One likely target is in the mitochondria: it's DNA. Mitochondrial DNA helps determine how mitochondria function and can be damaged under stress. Our goal in this proposed work is to determine the role of mitochondrial DNA in mitochondrial dysfunction and its link to their poor trainability. Questions: 1. Are there mitochondrial DNA markers linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and poor exercise trainability in young adults very born preterm? 2. Do mitochondrial DNA in young adults born very preterm respond differently to aerobic exercise training than those born at term? The investigators expect this work will show mitochondrial DNA changes linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and poor trainability, which can be used for future targets to improve health. This work supports AHA mission by helping to identify a marker in individuals born very preterm linked to their higher heart disease risk and death early in life.

Official Title

Mitochondrial DNA Signatures of Poor Aerobic Exercise Trainability in Young Adults Born Preterm

Quick Facts

Study Start:2024-05-01
Study Completion:2025-12-31
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06334107

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years to 35 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:Yes
Standard Ages:ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * Preterm born (PTB)young adult group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week; See IPAQ Attachment), males and females aged 18-35 years born preterm with a gestational age \<37 weeks.
  2. * Normal term-born (NTB) young adult control group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week) and will be age- and sex-matched and born at term (37 gestational age).
  3. * The biological mother of PTB participants: The PTB biological birth mother must be the one who gave birth to the participant and the one from whom the child inherited half of its genetic background (i.e., DNA).
  4. * PTB and NTB young adults must pass the PAR-Q+ Questionnaire assessment, indicating readiness to begin a moderate-intensity exercise training program. We will follow the American College of Sports Medicine\'s aerobic exercise training program participation guidelines. Subjects who are cleared via the PAR-Q+ assessment will be permitted to participate in the training program.
  1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  2. Severe psychiatric disorders
  3. Active substance abuse
  4. Unstable medical conditions
  5. Inability to comply with study requirements

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Heather L Vellers, Ph.D.
CONTACT
8068348554
heather.l.vellers@ttu.edu
Heather L Vellers, Ph.D.
CONTACT
9792194343
heather.l.vellers@ttu.edu

Study Locations (Sites)

Texas Tech University | Kinesiology and Sport Management Building
Lubbock, Texas, 79409
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: Texas Tech University

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2024-05-01
Study Completion Date2025-12-31

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2024-05-01
Study Completion Date2025-12-31

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • Preterm birth
  • Aerobic capacity trainability
  • mitochondrial DNA
  • heteroplasmy
  • mitochondrial oxidative capacity

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Preterm Birth