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Effects of ultra-marathon on circulating DNA and mRNA expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in mononuclear cells

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Abstract

We investigated the effects of an ultra-marathon on cell-free plasma DNA as well as on mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic (Bax, Bad), anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and cell-protective (Hsp70, Hsp27 and Hsp32) genes in mononuclear blood cells (MNCs). Blood samples were drawn from 14 athletes before and immediately after 6-h run. In addition, blood samples were also collected and analyzed 2 and 24 h after the end of the run. Levels of plasma DNA were significantly increased immediately after the marathon (P < 0.001) and were still higher 2 h later (P < 0.005), but significantly lower than those immediately after the race (P < 0.05). Cell-free plasma DNA returned to pre-race levels 24 h after the run. mRNA expressions of Hsp70, Hsp32 and Bax significantly increased in MNCs after the race, whereas Hsp27 and Bad mRNA expression levels showed no significant changes. Bcl-2 expressions decreased immediately after the race (P < 0.001), but increased in the 24 h later (P < 0.05). We conclude that apoptotic ladders of cell-free DNA following exhaustive exercise originate from apoptotic cells and that not only skeletal muscle cells but also leukocytes contribute to this phenomenon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics, Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital, Kundratstr. 3, 1100, Vienna, Austria

    Johanna Atamaniuk, Claudia Vidotto & Mathias M. Mueller

  2. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rheumatology, Kurbadstr. 10, 1100, Vienna, Austria

    Karl M. Stuhlmeier

  3. Department of Sports and Exercise Physiology, Institute of Sports Science, University of Vienna, Auf der Schmelz 6, 1150, Vienna, Austria

    Harald Tschan

  4. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Rudolfstiftung Hospital, Juchgasse 25, 1030, Vienna, Austria

    Astrid Dossenbach-Glaninger

Authors
  1. Johanna Atamaniuk
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  2. Karl M. Stuhlmeier
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  3. Claudia Vidotto
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  4. Harald Tschan
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  5. Astrid Dossenbach-Glaninger
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  6. Mathias M. Mueller
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Correspondence to Johanna Atamaniuk.

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Atamaniuk, J., Stuhlmeier, K.M., Vidotto, C. et al. Effects of ultra-marathon on circulating DNA and mRNA expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in mononuclear cells. Eur J Appl Physiol 104, 711–717 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0827-2

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