Coordination Between Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Anion Radical During Progressive Exercise in Elite Soccer Players

Abstract

Background:Exercise increases production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) via several mechanisms. Inter alia, increased blood flow during exercise exposes endothelial cells to shear stress, resulting in increased nitric oxide (NO) production. Increased oxygen consumption or hypoxia during exercise induces increased production of superoxide anion radical (O2-). Objective:This study investigates the effects of maximal progressive treadmill exercise test on time-course of peripheral blood NO and O2- production, as well as the effect of long-term training on NO bioavailability. Methods:Blood samples of 19 elite soccer players were gathered immediately before the test, during last 10 sec of every test stage, and during active recovery phases. Results:Significant increase (p<0.05) in NO production (estimated through nitrites (NO2-)), found between stage I (5.69 ± 1.32 nmol/ml) and basal values (5.36 ± 1.25 nmol/ml), was followed by the decrease in stage II (4.21 ± 0.42 nmol/ml) and production lower than basal to the end of the test. Significant increase (p<0.05) in O2- values was found between stage I (4.18 ± 0.77 nmol/ml) and resting values (4.01 ± 0.69 nmol/ml), and at stages V (4.24 ± 0.85 nmol/ml) and 1st phase of recovery (4.39 ± 0.92 nmol/ml). Conclusion:The regression lines of NO2- and O2- crossed at the level of anaerobic threshold, suggesting that anaerobic threshold could be of a crucial importance not only in the anaerobic and aerobic metabolism but in mechanisms of signal transductions as well. Long-term exercise increases NO bioavailability, and there is positive correlation between NO bioavailability and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max).

The Effects of Chronic Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise on Blood Nitric Oxide Levels

“…6,18,19,25 Many factors may have influenced this outcome, including the study design, small number of subjects, and NO measurement methods. Nonetheless, LMS, a value representing aerobic endurance, and BSNO levels were found to be greater in the AeG than in the AnG and CG.…”

“…For example, it has been found that there are relationships between aerobic power (VO 2 max) and BSNO levels and aerobic exercise increases basal blood NO levels. 1,18,19 However, the relationships between anaerobic exercise and BSNO remain largely unclear.…”

“…physical inactivity, have a negative effect. 19 Thus, training history may also modify the effects of chronic exercise training on BSNO levels and the relationships between BSNO and anaerobic and aerobic performance parameters in volleyball players and swimmers with long-term exercise background.…”

Exercise and Oxidative Stress

“…Studies that investigated the effects of acute exercise on • NO production yielded various results. Some studies reported • NO increase with exercise, some reported no change in • NO production and some reported a decrease in • NO production with exercise (Jungersten et al, 1997;Rassaf et al, 2007;Allen et al, 2006;Allen et al, 2009;Djordjevic et al, 2010a;Poveda et al, 1997;Djordjevic et al, 2010b;Jakovljevic et al, 2011;Cubrilo et al, 2011). Those differences are probably due to different protocols, i.e.…”

The redox state of young female handball players following acute exercise and a one-month precompetitive training period

“…During exercise, the several-fold rise of energetic needs and oxygen consumption may induce increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and possible disruption of the redox state, i.e., oxidative stress [1]. The first study of the relationship between exercise and oxidative stress was performed in 1978 by Dillard and colleagues [2] and demonstrated that acute aerobic exercise increases lipid peroxidation, which may be mediated by vitamin E consumption.…”