Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress, and Angiogenic Growth Factor Responses to Repeated-Sprint Exercise in Hypoxia

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the effects of repeated-sprint exercise in moderate hypoxia on inflammatory, muscle damage, oxidative stress, and angiogenic growth factor responses among athletes. Ten male college track and field sprinters [mean ± standard error (SE): age, 20.9 ± 0.1 years; height, 175.7 ± 1.9 cm; body weight, 67.3 ± 2.0 kg] performed two exercise trials in either hypoxia [HYPO; fraction of inspired oxygen (F i O 2 ), 14.5%] or normoxia (NOR; F i O 2 , 20.9%). The exercise consisted of three sets of 5 s × 6 s maximal sprints with 30 s rest periods between sprints and 10 min rest periods between sets. After completing the exercise, subjects remained in the chamber for 3 h under the prescribed oxygen concentration (hypoxia or normoxia). The average power output during exercise did not differ significantly between trials ( p = 0.17). Blood lactate concentrations after exercise were significantly higher in the HYPO trial than in the NOR trial ( p < 0.05). Plasma interleukin-6 concentrations increased significantly after exercise ( p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two trials ( p = 0.07). Post-exercise plasma interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, serum myoglobin, serum lipid peroxidation, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and urine 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine concentrations did not differ significantly between the two trials ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, exercise-induced inflammatory, muscle damage, oxidative stress, and VEGF responses following repeated-sprint exercise were not different between hypoxia and normoxia.

Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Inflammation, Oxidative/Antioxidant Balance, and Muscle Damage after Acute Exercise in Normobaric, Normoxic and Hypobaric, Hypoxic Environments: A Pilot Study

“…Even though it is a necessary defensive reaction that helps damaged tissue to recover, it can also cause other diseases like cardiovascular disease [ 23 ] and is closely related to musculoskeletal damage and muscle fatigue [ 24 , 25 ]. In some previous studies [ 6 , 26 ], the levels of fibrinogen, IL-6, and TNF-α in the blood have been reported to be indices reflecting the inflammatory response induced by acute exercise. This study analyzed the levels of plasma fibrinogen, serum IL-6, and TNF-α to verify changes in the inflammatory response depending upon the exercise performed in NN and HH environments and investigated the effect of HBOT on recovery.…”

“…The results showed that the fibrinogen and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after the race. Furthermore, Kasai et al [ 26 ] conducted a repeated sprint exercise with 10 male athletes in hypoxic (fraction of inspired oxygen (F i O 2 = 14.5%, equivalent to a simulated altitude of 3000 m) and normoxic (F i O 2 = 20.9%) conditions. Although the levels of IL-6 increased significantly after exercise in both conditions, there was no significant difference in levels between the two environmental conditions, which supports the results of this study.…”

“…This result implies that treadmill running at an intensity of 75–80% HRmax can cause muscle damage, and the HH environment, which was the same as that at an altitude of about 3000 m, did not add additional stress to the exercise-induced muscle damage. Kasai et al [ 26 ] reported that serum myoglobin levels, the index of muscle damage in blood, increased significantly, irrespective of hypoxic or normoxic conditions. Sumi et al [ 35 ] also suggested that endurance exercise in moderately hypoxic conditions (F i O 2 = 14.5%) did not facilitate more exercise-induced muscle damage response or cause in endurance athletes than in normoxic conditions (F i O 2 = 20.9%).…”

Involvement of the VEGF signaling pathway in immunosuppression and hypoxia stress: analysis of mRNA expression in lymphocytes mediating panting in Jersey cattle under heat stress

“…Lee et al [ 26 ] found that VEGF plays vital roles in hypoxia responses by controlling the expression of numerous hypoxia-responsive genes functioning in diverse processes of oxygen delivery. In addition, an investigation has shown that VEGF not only regulates oxygen supply and growth but also acts as a mediator of inflammatory cytokines [ 27 ].…”

Involvement of the VEGF Signaling Pathway in Immunosuppression and Hypoxia Stress: Analysis of mRNA Expression in Lymphocytes Mediating Panting in Jersey Cattle under Heat Stress

“…Lee et al [34] found that VEGF plays vital roles in hypoxia responses by controlling the expression of numerous hypoxia-responsive genes functioning in diverse processes of oxygen delivery. In addition, an investigation has shown that VEGF not only regulates oxygen supply and growth but also acts as a mediator of in ammatory cytokines [35].…”