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Methods to detect DNA damage by free radicals: relation to exercise.
H E Poulsen1, A Weimann, S Loft
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital Copenhagen, Denmark. henrikep@rh.dk
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|May 19, 2000
Summary
Regular exercise generally reduces illness, but extreme, prolonged exercise may increase DNA oxidation. Moderate exercise may lower DNA oxidation, suggesting a U-shaped relationship between exercise intensity and health risks like cancer.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Molecular biology
- Oxidative stress research
Background:
- Epidemiological studies link regular exercise to reduced morbidity compared to sedentary lifestyles.
- Exercise can increase or decrease macromolecular oxidation; extreme exercise may cause deleterious oxidation.
- Oxidative DNA damage, particularly 8-hydroxylation of guanine, is mutagenic and linked to aging and cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between exercise and DNA oxidation.
- To explore the potential for exercise to induce mutagenic DNA modifications.
- To hypothesize a U-shaped relationship between exercise and health outcomes concerning DNA oxidation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for DNA oxidation analysis.
- Measuring urinary DNA repair products to assess body DNA oxidation rate, independent of repair.
- Observing shifts in antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E) from muscle to plasma during exercise.
Main Results:
- No immediate signs of DNA oxidative damage post-exercise, regardless of intensity.
- Acute or moderate exercise may lower tissue DNA oxidation levels.
- Long-duration, intense exercise is associated with increased oxidative DNA modifications.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between exercise and health may be U-shaped, with moderate levels being beneficial.
- Intense and prolonged exercise may increase oxidative DNA damage, potentially raising disease risk.
- Further research is needed to define optimal exercise levels for health benefits and disease prevention.