Association between uncoupling protein 1-3826 A/G polymorphism and the effects of anaerobic exercises on serum oxidative stress

Objectives

Aerobic exercise promotes uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) induced white adipose tissue browning by increasing serum nitric oxide (NO), irisin and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, oxidative stress (OS) occurring during anaerobic exercise downregulates UCP-1. Moreover, UCP-1-3826 A/G polymorphism (UCP1P) is associated with weight gain due to impaired thermogenesis which may be due to UCP1P induced modification in OS. Therefore, our purpose was to investigate the role of UCP1P on the effects of acute maximal exercise (AME) and chronic anaerobic exercise (CAT) on serum OS, UCP-1, NO, irisin and IL-6 levels.

Equipments and methods

Sport group (SG, n = 43) was formed of anaerobic athletes, while control group (CG, n = 43) comprised physically inactive men. Postprandial blood was taken from SG and CG before and after AME to determine serum UCP-1, irisin, IL-6, NO, and oxidative stress index (OSI = total oxidant/antioxidant status [TOS/TAS] ratio). To investigate the effects of CAT on serum parameters, SG and CG's results were compared. UCP1P was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results

AME significantly increased all parameters in SG and CG (P < 0.05). However, CAT increased only OSI and IL-6 (P < 0.05), decreased UCP-1 and TAS and did not affect TOS, NO and irisin. OSI of GG homozygous athletes were significantly higher than other genotype groups (P < 0.05). Although significant negative correlations were found between UCP-1 and OS markers in GG and AA genotype groups before AME, significant positive correlations were found between UCP-1 and TAS in AA genotype group after AME. GG homozygous athletes may be more prone to higher OS. Decrease in UCP-1 due to CAT may be affected by GG genotype group's genetic disposition for OS.