Unique protein signatures linked to ethnicity and changes in physical activity observed in new study

A Leicester study has shed light on why people of South Asian (SA) origin may face a higher risk of cardiometabolic disorders and respond differently to physical activity compared to White European people (WE).

The study, published in eBioMedicine, used UK Biobank data from over 49,000 participants and was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). It saw University of Leicester researchers examine hundreds of proteins found in blood plasma, to understand how ethnicity and levels of physical activity influence cardiometabolic health.

Dr Joe Henson, Associate Professor of 24-hour Physical Behaviours and Health, in the University’s Department of Population Health Sciences, said: “In our discovery phase we identified 464 proteins linked to physical activity and 375 associated with ethnicity.

“To validate these findings, we examined a targeted group of participants at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and whose physical activity was tracked over four years using wearable devices.

“In this validation group, interleukin-6 (IL-6) emerged as the only protein significantly related to physical activity, showing reduced levels in individuals who increased their daily steps. This suggests IL-6 may be a key marker of exercise-related anti-inflammatory benefits.”

Ethnicity-specific differences were even more pronounced: 16 proteins were validated, including chemokines (CCL28, CCL15), hepatokines (FABP1), adipokines (FABP2), and pancreatic enzymes (AMY2A, AMY2B). These patterns highlight distinct immune, inflammatory, and metabolic pathways that differ between South Asian and White European populations.

Dr Henson concluded: “Our findings underscore the importance of addressing ethnic disparities in cardiometabolic health, and the potential impact for culturally tailored interventions.  

“Our future research will explore whether modifying physical activity can influence these protein signatures and reduce disease risk.”

Dr Esther Mukuka, NIHR Director of Research Inclusion, said: "Studies such as this, funded by the NIHR, underline the importance of taking an inclusive approach to research.

“By deepening our understanding of disparities experienced by people from different ethnic backgrounds, we are better placed to develop solutions and treatments that improve outcomes and quality of life for all communities." 

The NIHR Leicester BRC is part of the NIHR and hosted by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in partnership with the University of Leicester, Loughborough University and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group.

For more information about the NIHR Leicester BRC visit www.leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk 

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the University of Leicester  

The University of Leicester is the Daily Mail University of the Year 2025 and shortlisted for University of the Year for both the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

The University is led by discovery and innovation – an international centre for excellence renowned for research, teaching and broadening access to higher education. It is among the Top 30 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE)’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 rankings with 89% of research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent, with wide-ranging impacts on society, health, culture, and the environment. In 2023, the University received an overall Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, making it one of a small number of institutions nationally to achieve TEF Gold alongside a top 30 REF performance. The University is home to more than 20,000 students and approximately 4,000 staff. 

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The NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre 

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the NIHR and hosted by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in partnership with the University of Leicester, Loughborough University and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. 

The NIHR Leicester BRC undertakes translational clinical research in priority areas of high disease burden and clinical need. These are: 

• Respiratory and infectious diseases 
• Personalised cancer prevention and treatment 
• Lifestyle (including diabetes) 
• Environment and health 
• Data innovation for multiple long term health conditions and ethnic health 
• Cardiovascular disease 

The BRC harnesses the power of experimental science to explore and develop ways to help prevent and treat chronic disease. It brings together 120 highly skilled researchers, 45 academic ‘rising stars’, more than 90 support staff and students and over 450 public contributors. By having scientists working closely with clinicians and the public, the BRC can deliver research that is relevant to both patients and the professionals who treat them. www.leicesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk  

The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

• Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
• Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
• Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
• Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;