Association of aerobic exercise habits with higher albumin-globulin ratio and lower cellular immune-inflammatory markers: implication of the preventive effect of aerobic exercise on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Aerobic exercise habits have shown promising potential in reducing inflammation. Several studies have suggested that a higher albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), a key indicator of the immune-inflammatory response, could potentially suppress the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the relationship between aerobic exercise and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) predictors, specifically, AGR and cellular immune-inflammatory markers. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 8381 participants (average age, 46.7 ± 13.0 years; 59% men) with no history of ASCVD registered at the Health Planning Center, Nihon University Hospital between 2019 and 2020. We defined aerobic exercise habits as 30 min of sweating at least twice a week for over a year, per the guideline for conducting specific health examinations according to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Participants who engaged in habitual aerobic exercise (n = 2159) had a significantly higher AGR than those who did not (n = 6220) [1.70 (1.55/1.86) vs. 1.67 (1.53/1.84), P < 0.0001]. Cellular immune-inflammatory markers, including neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune-inflammation index (neutrophil/lymphocyte × platelet count), were significantly lower in participants who engaged in habitual aerobic exercise than in those who did not (all P < 0.0001). Furthermore, lower cellular immune-inflammatory markers were associated with a higher AGR. Causal mediation analysis revealed that cellular immune-inflammatory markers partially mediated the association between aerobic exercise and AGR. In conclusion, aerobic exercise habits may be associated with a higher AGR and lower cellular immune-inflammatory markers. Moreover, the lower immune-inflammatory response related to aerobic exercise may partially mediate the higher AGR. These associations may explain the attenuating effects of aerobic exercise on the risk of ASCVD.