The exercise redox paradigm in the Down’s syndrome: improvements in motor function and increases in blood oxidative status in young adults

Abstract

Considerable evidence has indicated a pro-oxidant status in the brain of people with Down's syndrome (DS), which may contribute to motor and cognitive impairments verified in this condition. On the other hand, previous studies addressing the role of physical exercise on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in DS have indicated conflicting results. Here, we investigated the effects of a supervised judo training of controlled intensity and monitored on the basis of lactate threshold on the blood oxidative stress status and motor coordination in 21 young adults with DS. The training extended over a period of 16 weeks and consisted of three sessions per week. The exercise improved the motor function and significantly decreased lactate production in the DS subjects. However, blood markers of oxidative damage to lipids (TBARS and lipid peroxides) and proteins (carbonyls) were increased by the judo training. Moreover, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity also increased, while glutathione peroxidase activity remained unaltered after exercise. These results reinforce the notion that physical exercise can improve motor disabilities in people with DS. More importantly, our findings demonstrate that the beneficial effects are accompanied by some degree of oxidative stress, suggesting that young adults with DS may be more susceptible to physical training-induced oxidative stress than adolescents with DS, which should be taken into account in physical training programs for this population.

Efficacy of selected treadmill training programme on oxidative stress in adolescents with Down syndrome

“…However, there was no significant decrease in mean weight and BMI in Down syndrome individuals after the 12-week treadmill training programme compared with that at the beginning of the exercise programme. Similar results were observed by Aguiar et al [13] who reported no significant weight changes and a slight decrease in BMI in Down syndrome adolescents at the end of a supervised 16-week judo-training programme of controlled intensity comparison with the beginning of the programme. Regarding GPx and BMI, significant and negative correlation was found in Down syndrome individuals before and after the exercise training programme (P = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively).…”

“…The extensive literature indicates that moderate exercise similar to that used in the present study exerts low stress without oxidative damage consequences in non-Down syndrome subjects [25]. Interestingly, Aguiar et al [13] showed that blood markers of oxidative damage to lipids (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid peroxides) and proteins (carbonyls) increased …”

The Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Trained Individuals Subjected to Maximal Treadmill Test

“…Such increased oxygen consumption during and after exercise may enhance ROS production in different tissues. Caffeine supplementation may inhibit the deleterious effects caused by the presence of free radicals (Pinho et al, 2006;Turley & Gerst, 2006;Aguiar et al, 2008). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of caffeine supplementation on the oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, performance and physiological variables of young individuals subjected to two maximum treadmill tests in a week interval.…”

Comparação do treinamento físico de quatro e oito semanas sobre atividade da cadeia transportadora de elétrons e marcadores de estresse oxidativo em fígado de camundongos

“…Por outro lado, outros estudos têm reportado que o treinamento regular tem sido eficaz, na diminuição do estresse oxidativo provocado por diversas doenças (5,6) . Entretanto a comparação dos efeitos do treinamento de quatro e oito semanas sobre a atividade mitocondrial e marcadores de estresse oxidativo em fígados de camundongos permanece obscura.…”