Plasma microRNA-320a as a Potential Biomarker of Physiological Changes during Training in Professional Volleyball Players

Abstract

A deeper insight into the mechanisms responsible for athlete performance that may serve as specific and detailed training indicators is still desired, because conventionally used biomarkers provide limited information about the adaptive processes that occur during exercise. The objective of our study was to assess insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors (IGF1R) gene expression and evaluate plasma concentration of selected microRNAs (miRNAs) during a 10-week training period (sampling times: week 1, 4, 7, and 10) in a group of 12 professional female volleyball players. Circulating miRNAs (miR-223, miR-320a, and miR-486) with established concentration in plasma and documented association with the IGF1 signaling pathway, which is involved in muscle development and recovery, were tested. The levels of analyzed miRNAs, tested by one-way ANOVA, were significantly different between four training periods during a 10-week training cycle (miR-223 p < 0.0001, miR-320a p = 0.00021, miR-486 p = 0.0037, respectively). The levels of IGF1R also appeared to be different (p = 0.00092), and their expression showed a trend to increase between the first and third periods. In the fourth period, the expression decreased, although it was higher compared with the baseline. Correlations between concentration levels of miR-223 and miR-320a (rs = 0.54, p < 0.001), as well as between miR-320a and miR-486 (rs = 0.73, p < 0.001) were also found. In the fourth period, a negative correlation between miR-223 plasma level and leucocyte IGF1R expression was found (rs = −0.63, p = 0.028). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that miR-320a (p = 0.024) and creatine kinase (p = 0.028) had the greatest impact on the expression levels of the IGF1R gene. Future studies are required to define whether these miRNAs, especially miR-320a, as well as IGF1R expression could be useful biomarkers of physiological changes during exercise and to discover their detailed biological roles in mode-specific exercise training adaptations of professional athletes.

Plasma Circular-RNA 0005567 as a Potential Marker of Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Both reactions were performed under the following conditions: 45 amplification cycles, annealing step at 55 °C for 30 s, and elongation at 72 °C for 1 min. The glycoseraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( GAPDH ) gene was used for data normalisation and primer sequences were previously described [ 40 ]. Primers’ final concentrations were as follows: 200 nM for both GAPDH and circ_0005567 and 450 nM for circ_0000175.…”

“…Melt curve analysis was performed after each reaction plate. The GAPDH gene was used as a reference gene, as previously described [ 40 ]. After confirming that the studied circ_0005567 molecule is silenced by both designed siRNAs with reference to the negative control, the relationship between the targeted circRNA and possible microRNAs was evaluated.…”

“…After the literature analysis, the TJAP1 gene was excluded from further evaluation due to the lack of association with RA pathogenesis. The primers were designed using the Primer-BLAST online tool (available as mentioned above; accessed on 3 October 2022), except primers related to the IGF1R gene whose sequences were previously described [ 40 ]. Additionally, a literature search was performed to identify genes that were previously indicated to downregulate mRNA expression by miR-194-5p.…”

Association of FAAH rs324420 (C385A) Polymorphism with High-Level Performance in Volleyball Players

“…Volleyball is a high-intensity, intermittent sport modality with repetitive episodes of short durations of effort at diverse speed levels and incomplete recovery periods. Both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms, as well as cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, are crucial for the performance of volleyball players [ 10 ]. The game is not time-limited.…”

“…Volleyball is mostly described by its biomechanical component in the vertical plane due to the need for the ball to cross the vertical net to the opponent’s court. Although it is a non-invasion game, the frequency of sports injuries is high due to the inherently high training load and mechanical stress during the repetitive technical movements [ 10 ]. As such, mental abilities in the context of high-level performance are needed to manage stress and anxiety, be resilient, and avoid impulsivity to make optimal decisions during training sessions and competition [ 3 , 7 , 12 ].…”