Strenuous exercise-induced change in redox state of human serum albumin during intensive kendo training

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of human serum albumin (HSA) using an ion-exchange (DEAE-form) column shows three components: The principal component corresponds to human mercaptalbumin (HMA); the secondary to nonmercaptalbumin (HNA), having mixed disulfide with cystine (HNA[Cys]), or oxidized glutathione (HNA[Glut]); and the tertiary to HNA, oxidized more highly than mixed disulfide. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the effects of strenuous exercise load on HMA--><--HNA conversion (i.e., dynamic change in redox state) of HSA from elite kendo athletes (n=30; 20.0+/-1.1 years old). They participated in an intensive kendo training camp for 5 d. The mean value for the HMA fraction (f[HMA]) of kendo athletes after camp (62.8+/-2.4%) was significantly lower than before camp (71.9+/-3.7%) (p<0.0005). In contrast, the mean value for f(HNA-1) (i.e., f[HNA(Cys) and HNA(Glut)]) after camp (34.2+/-2.1%) was significantly higher than before camp (25.7+/-3.7%) (p<0.0005). These results suggested that strenuous physical exercise markedly increased the oxidized albumin level in extracellular fluids during the intensive training camp.