Exercise-Induced Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Not Related to Oxidative Damage or Impaired Vascular Function in Amateur Middle-Aged Runners under Controlled Nutritional Intake

Abstract

To determine the influence of different doses of maximal acute exercise on the kinetics of plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and its relationship with oxidative status and vascular function, nine recreational runners completed a 10 km race (10K) and a marathon (M). Blood samples were collected before (Basal), immediately post-exercise (Post0), and after 24 h (Post24). Nutritional intake was controlled at each sample point. A significant increase in tHcy was observed after both races, higher after M. Basal levels were recovered at Post24 after 10K, but remained elevated at Post 24 for M. A significant decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio was observed in Post0, especially marked after M. Furthermore, this increase in pro-oxidant status remained at Post24 only after M. Other oxidative status markers failed to confirm this exercise-induced pro-oxidant status except glutathione peroxidase activity that was lower in Post24 compared to Basal in 10K and in Post0 and Post24 in M. No statistical correlation was found between oxidative markers and tHcy. No significant changes were observed in the concentration of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and E-Selectin) and VEGF. In conclusion, tHcy increases in an exercise–dose–response fashion but is not related to endothelial dysfunction mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms.

Nutrition Interactions With Exercise Training on Endothelial Function

“…Studies in healthy men suggest this effect is transient (41) and dependent on folate status ( i.e. , lower folate status was associated with a greater increase in homocysteine) (42) and does not seem to have an adverse effect on endothelial function (43). Evidence regarding the effect of chronic exercise training or physical activity, however, on homocysteine levels is mixed.…”

Homocysteine—Potential Novel Diagnostic Indicator of Health and Disease in Horses

“…It has been demonstrated that acute exercise increases Hcy levels in humans, and the magnitude of those elevations depends on prior training preparation [ 130 , 131 ]. Although the basal Hcy serum concentration is lower in people with regular physical activity, up to 47% of athletes develop hyperhomocysteinemia after exercise [ 132 , 133 ].…”

“…It raises concerns for amateur runners participating in triathlons, marathons or ultramarathons. Prolonged post-exercise oxidative stress and hyperhomocysteinemia may lead to vascular endothelial damage in these individuals [ 131 ].…”

“…The influence of strenuous exercise on the levels of antioxidants and vitamins is significant as an increased breakdown of glycogen and an increased demand for B6 post-training is well described [ 134 ]. Interestingly, post-exercise increase in serum Hcy levels has been detected in humans with appropriate concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B6 [ 131 ]. Hyperhomocysteinemia in those subjects has been explained by natural post-exercise changes in glomerular filtration and plasma clearance of Hcy.…”

“…However, under physiological conditions in horses, elevated post-training serum Hcy levels are usually short-lived, lasting for around 60 min post-exercise [ 60 ]. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that the length of post-exercise serum Hcy elevation in horses is directly proportional to the length of prior strenuous exercise [ 131 ].…”