Vitamin C, A and E supplementation decreases the expression of HSPA1A and HSPB1 genes in the leukocytes of young polish figure skaters during a 10-day training camp

Abstract

BackgroundOverexpression of HSPA1A and HSPB1 has been shown to indicate stress and the degradation of damaged proteins. Therefore, the expression of these genes is often evaluated during exercise. Vitamin supplementation in young athletes may affect the expression of these genes, and help to maintain health and improve the effects of training.MethodsFourteen top junior female athletes (age 14–15y ± 0.3 SD, body mass 51 kg ± 5 SD, and BMI of 20.15 ± 0.9 SD, time in professional training 8.5 y ± 0.5 SD) attended a conditioning camp that included meals planned by a team dietitian. To examine the effects of vitamin supplementation on antioxidant status we supplemented the athletes with either vitamin A (16 ug/kg/day), vitamin C (8 mg/kg/day) and vitamin E (1 mg/kg/day) or an inert placebo. Blood samples were taken before and after (12 h post) the camp to assess the relative expression of HSPA1A and HSPB1 mRNA in leukocytes via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsOverall, participants trained ~135 min daily (1345 min total). No statistically significant differences in HSPA1A and HSPB1 expression were observed between the groups before the camp. In the unsupplemented group, there was a non-statistically significant increase in HSPA1A expression (100% change) and a significant increase (37% change, p < 0.05) in HSPB1 expression over the study period. The supplemented group experienced a significant decrease in HSPA1A (40% change, p = 0.01) and HSPB1 (25% change p = 0.03) expression over the study period.ConclusionOur results indicate that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins decreases HSPA1A and HSPB1 mRNA expression in leukocytes, and thereby may reduce exercise-induced stress in young athletes, not only during training, but also in sports competitions.

Weighted Single-Step GWAS Identifies Genes Influencing Fillet Color in Rainbow Trout

“…HSPB1 encodes for a heat-shock protein that can protect against oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidant vitamins resulted in a significant drop in HSPB1 expression in athletes after an exercise period compared with athletes fed an un-supplemented diet [ 130 ]. Over-expression of HSPB1 has been shown to improve stress resistance (including oxidative stress) [ 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 ].…”

Assessment of fatigue and the overtraining syndrome in female spinning instructors based on a survey and on the expression of selected genes

“…Changes in the gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes show a systemic response to effort or training and prove the stress load to the body [20,21,22]. The expression of numerous genes may increase locally in skeletal muscles, but there are differences between local and systemic changes in the mRNA levels.…”

Effect of Lower and Upper Body High Intensity Training on Genes Associated with Cellular Stress Response

“…In our research the changes in genes expression were evaluated in leukocytes, the cells with high antioxidant capacity [ 36 ]. According to Żychowska et al [ 16 ] and Maltseva et al [ 15 ] changes in genes expression in these cells show a systemic response to exercise. Results confirmed that, before and after the applied training period, gene expression differences between lower and upper body exercises were not significant.…”

“…Changes in genes associated with inflammation and HSP show the result of alterations in signalling via these pathways. There is considerable evidence demonstrating the influence of various exercise types on inflammation [ 13 , 14 ] and gene expression of heat shock proteins [ 15 , 16 ], thereby mediating the health benefits of episodic and prolonged exercise.…”