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Published on: November 20, 2015
Antioxidant and neurodevelopmental gene polymorphisms in prematurely born individuals influence hypoxia-related
Katja Goričar1, Tadej Debevec2,3, Vita Dolžan1
1Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Preterm birth (PTB) may affect how young adults handle oxidative stress during exercise. Specific gene variations influence these responses, impacting health long after infancy.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Genetics
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Preterm birth (PTB) is linked to oxidative stress injuries.
- Investigating long-term effects of PTB on oxidative stress markers is crucial.
- Gene polymorphisms may modulate oxidative stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between antioxidant and neurodevelopmental gene polymorphisms and oxidative stress parameters in young adult males born preterm (PTB) and term-born controls.
- To assess these associations at rest and during exercise under normoxic and hypoxic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Study included healthy young males: 22 PTB and 15 term-born.
- Participants underwent graded exercise tests in normobaric normoxic (FiO2=0.21) and hypoxic (FiO2=0.13) conditions.
- Oxidative stress parameters and gene polymorphisms (CAT, GPX1, HIF1A, NOTCH4, BDNF) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- CAT rs1001179 associated with decreased nitrites in PTB individuals.
- GPX1 rs1050450 linked to reduced antioxidant capacity in term-born individuals.
- NOTCH4 rs367398 showed associations with increased oxidative stress markers under hypoxia and malondialdehyde under normoxia.
- BDNF rs6265 associated with decreased nitrites/nitrates in PTB individuals.
Conclusions:
- Gene polymorphisms and a history of preterm birth can influence oxidative stress responses to exercise.
- These effects persist into young adulthood, affecting responses in both normoxic and hypoxic environments.
- Findings highlight the long-term physiological impact of preterm birth on oxidative stress regulation.
Abstract:
Preterm born (PTB) infants are at risk for injuries related to oxidative stress. We investigated the association between antioxidant and neurodevelopmental gene polymorphisms and oxidative stress parameters in PTB male young adults and their term-born counterparts at rest and during exercise. Healthy young PTB (N = 22) and full-term (N = 15) males underwent graded exercise tests in normobaric normoxic (FiO2 = 0.21) and hypoxic (FiO2 = 0.13) conditions. CAT rs1001179 was associated with decrease in nitrites in the whole group and in PTB individuals (P = 0.017 and P = 0.043, respectively). GPX1 rs1050450 was associated with decrease in ferric reducing antioxidant power in the whole group and in full-term individuals (P = 0.017 and P = 0.021, respectively). HIF1A rs11549465 was associated with decrease in nitrotyrosine and increase in malondialdehyde (P = 0.022 and P = 0.018, respectively). NOTCH4 rs367398 was associated with increase in advanced oxidation protein products and nitrites (P = 0.002 and P = 0.004, respectively) in hypoxia. In normoxia, NOTCH4 rs367398 was associated with increase in malondialdehyde in the whole group (P = 0.043). BDNF rs6265 was associated with decreased nitrites/nitrates in the whole group and in PTB individuals (P = 0.009 and P = 0.043, respectively). Polymorphisms in investigated genes and PTB might influence oxidative stress response after exercise in normoxic or hypoxic conditions far beyond the neonatal period in young male adults.
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