Is there an association between PPARGC1A genotypes and endurance capacity in Chinese men?

Abstract

Our purpose was to determine the possible association between genotypes of three polymorphisms (Gly482Ser, Thr394Thr and A2962G) of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) gene, on one hand, and both the pre- (baseline) and post-training levels of maximal (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]) and submaximal human endurance capacity (i.e., running economy [RE]). We studied 102 young males (physically active, non-athletes; age: 19+/-1 yrs) from Northern China (of Han origin) who underwent a 18-week endurance training (running) program and were tested on a treadmill (for VO2max and RE determination) before and after training. None of the VO2max and RE related traits were associated with the Gly482Ser and Thr394Thr polymorphisms at baseline or after training. The A2962G polymorphism was however associated with VO2max at baseline, as carriers of the G allele (AG+GG genotypes; n=49) had higher levels of VO2max than the AA group (n=53) (58.2+/-4.3 vs 56.3+/-3.9 mL/kg/min; P=0.017). Our results do not support previous data on Caucasians showing an association between the Gly482Ser variant and VO2max but suggest the potential role of another polymorphism (A2962G) to explain individual VO2max differences in Chinese men.

Genetics and sport performance: current challenges and directions to the future

“…is positive replication (i.e., a consistent association) strengthens the evidence for the in uence of the polymorphism on phenotype. However, even if the replication occurs in more than one population, it does not mean that the same association will be found in every population of the world 29 . In fact, associations found in a study are frequently not replicated in subsequent studies [30][31][32][33] .…”

Association between the <i>PPARGC1A</i> Polymorphism and Aerobic Capacity in Japanese Middle-aged Men

“…For example, the endurance capacity before training [as assessed according to the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max)] is not associated with the Gly482Ser polymorphism in young Chinese men (13). Additionally, another study showed that changes in the VO2 max after 18 weeks of endurance training did not differ between Gly482 and Ser482 carriers in a young Chinese cohort (13).…”

“…For example, the endurance capacity before training [as assessed according to the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max)] is not associated with the Gly482Ser polymorphism in young Chinese men (13). Additionally, another study showed that changes in the VO2 max after 18 weeks of endurance training did not differ between Gly482 and Ser482 carriers in a young Chinese cohort (13). These results are in agreement with the findings of a molecular-level study showing that the expression of the PPARGC1A gene in skeletal muscle is similar between young Gly482 and Ser482 carriers, although the PPARGC1A expression is significantly reduced in elderly subjects with the Ser482 allele (14).…”

“…The precise reasons for the disparities among the findings of these previous studies remain unclear. However, in most of the aforementioned studies, the subjects were limited to athletes (8)(9)(10)(11) or healthy individuals with relatively high VO2 max values (13,15), whose aerobic capacity levels may be considerably influenced by non-genetic factors associated with regular sports/exercise training and/or habitual physical activity. In these previous studies, potential differences in the context of sports/exercise training (frequency, intensity and duration) and/or levels of daily physical activity between Gly482 and Ser482 groups were not taken into account; therefore, these critical environmental factors were not matched between Gly482 and Ser482 carriers.…”

A Method for SNP Genotyping Using MoS2 and a DNA Intercalating Dye

“…Some studies have reported an association between genotype and human aerobic capacity [1] . Therefore, SNPs can be used to powerful tools in the study of human sports.…”