Impairment between Oxidant and Antioxidant Systems: Short- and Long-term Implications for Athletes’ Health

Abstract

The role of oxidative stress, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production (ROS) and antioxidants, has been described in several patho-physiological conditions, including cardiovascular, neurological diseases and cancer, thus impacting on individuals’ lifelong health. Diet, environmental pollution, and physical activity can play a significant role in the oxidative balance of an organism. Even if physical training has proved to be able to counteract the negative effects caused by free radicals and to provide many health benefits, it is also known that intensive physical activity induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and free radical-mediated muscle damage. Indeed, variations in type, intensity, and duration of exercise training can activate different patterns of oxidant–antioxidant balance leading to different responses in terms of molecular and cellular damage. The aim of the present review is to discuss (1) the role of oxidative status in athletes in relation to exercise training practice, (2) the implications for muscle damage, (3) the long-term effect for neurodegenerative disease manifestations, (4) the role of antioxidant supplementations in preventing oxidative damages.

DNA Damage Following Acute Aerobic Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Therefore, it is important to differentiate whether cell death is caused by oxidative stress (i.e., DNA damage), which can be avoided (scavenging systems and DNA repair mechanisms), or programmed cell death via RONS signalling which could be advantageous when the cell becomes compromised, as a result of DNA damage [28]. RONS are therefore, important molecules involved in the fate of the cell's destiny as they regulate crucial processes such as growth, differentiation, and cell death [29]. Once DNA is damaged, it is normally repaired by mechanisms such as base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), or through a process of homologous recombination (HR) or nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ); the type of DNA repair will depend on the mechanism and the extent of the damage [30] (Electronic Supplementary Material Figure S1).…”

Effects of Regular Taekwondo Intervention on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Myokines in Overweight and Obese Adolescents

“…In particular, fat accumulation correlated with systemic oxidative stress, and increased fatty acids level increased oxidative stress through nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation [5,8]. Treatment with NADPH oxidase inhibitors decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in adipose tissue and attenuated dysregulation of adipocytokines, improved diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis [5].A bout of high intensity exercise induces excessive ROS production that is linked with lipid and peroxidation, having deleterious impact on cells and tissues [9]. However, regular exercise with proper intensity is an effective way to prevent and improve obesity by increasing the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), resulting in alleviation of oxidative stress [10][11][12][13].…”

“…A bout of high intensity exercise induces excessive ROS production that is linked with lipid and peroxidation, having deleterious impact on cells and tissues [9]. However, regular exercise with proper intensity is an effective way to prevent and improve obesity by increasing the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), resulting in alleviation of oxidative stress [10][11][12][13].…”

Biohumoral Indicators Influenced by Physical Activity in the Elderly

“…As for the influence of PA on oxidative stress and antioxidant systems, a recent review by Nocella et al [7] highlighted that high-intensity physical exercise can cause redox imbalance, leading to several types of injuries and muscle damage, while the studies reported in this review show an improvement in antioxidant activity and reduction of oxidative stress in elderly performing regular PA. Similar to our results, some studies demonstrated that exercise and regular PA have a positive impact on oxidative stress and inflammation during aging [49,50].…”

“…One of the main challenges of modern medicine and public health is efficient monitoring of health conditions of the elderly to better understand the aging process and to prevent the development of such a vicious mechanism. In the scientific landscape, there is a growing interest in defining the role of several biomolecules and humoral indicators [6] of the aging process and in the modifications of these biomarkers induced by physical activity and exercise [7]. However, the role of PA on these modifications is far from being completely elucidated.…”