Many studies demonstrated that oxidative stress was associated with strenuous exhaustive exercise due to increasing aerobic metabolism. This result may be attributed by oxidative DNA damage. However, little information is available on oxidative damage to leukocyte DNA induced by exhausted endurance exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of oxidative stress induced by Marathon exercise on DNA in human immune cells. The 42.195 km marathon race was used as a model for detection of this phenomenon.. Eight endurance runners were recruited from 2002 Taipei International Marathon Race to take part in this study. Venous blood samples were collected from each subject 12 hours before, immediately after running, 24 hr, and 120 hr Peroxide (H2O2), reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and levels of oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes were measured by flow cytometery. After the race 24 hr, H2O2 concentration in human leukocytes was significantly increased. Concerning GSH concentration in leukocyte there was significant enhanced after race immediately, but GSH concentration quickly decreased following race 24 hr. The levels of oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes were considerably declined after race immediately, whereas significantly amplified after the race 24 hr and eventually recovered usual levels till 120 hr. In conclusion, oxidative stress induced by endurance exercise may be responsible for oxidative damage to DNA in human immune cells. This phenomenon is worthy to further study whether to be related with immune dysfunction after strenuous exercise.
Many studies demonstrated that oxidative stress was associated with strenuous exhaustive exercise due to increasing aerobic metabolism. This result may be attributed by oxidative DNA damage. However, little information is available on oxidative damage to leukocyte DNA induced by exhausted endurance exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of oxidative stress induced by Marathon exercise on DNA in human immune cells. The 42.195 km marathon race was used as a model for detection of this phenomenon.. Eight endurance runners were recruited from 2002 Taipei International Marathon Race to take part in this study. Venous blood samples were collected from each subject 12 hours before, immediately after running, 24 hr, and 120 hr Peroxide (H2O2), reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and levels of oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes were measured by flow cytometery. After the race 24 hr, H2O2 concentration in human leukocytes was significantly increased. Concerning GSH concentration in leukocyte there was significant enhanced after race immediately, but GSH concentration quickly decreased following race 24 hr. The levels of oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes were considerably declined after race immediately, whereas significantly amplified after the race 24 hr and eventually recovered usual levels till 120 hr. In conclusion, oxidative stress induced by endurance exercise may be responsible for oxidative damage to DNA in human immune cells. This phenomenon is worthy to further study whether to be related with immune dysfunction after strenuous exercise.