Redox-related biomarkers in physical exercise

Abstract

Research in redox biology of exercise has made considerable advances in the last 70 years. Since the seminal study of George Pake's group calculating the content of free radicals in skeletal muscle in resting conditions in 1954, many discoveries have been made in the field. The first section of this review is devoted to highlight the main research findings and fundamental changes in the exercise redox biology discipline. It includes: i) the first steps in free radical research, ii) the relation between exercise and oxidative damage, iii) the redox regulation of muscle fatigue, iv) the sources of free radicals during muscle contractions, and v) the role of reactive oxygen species as regulators of gene transcription and adaptations in skeletal muscle. In the second section of the manuscript, we review the available biomarkers for assessing health, performance, recovery during exercise training and overtraining in the sport population. Among the set of biomarkers that could be determined in exercise studies we deepen on the four categories of redox biomarkers: i) oxidants, ii) antioxidants, iii) oxidation products (markers of oxidative damage), and iv) measurements of the redox balance (markers of oxidative stress). The main drawbacks, strengths, weaknesses, and methodological considerations of every biomarker are also discussed.

Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Upregulates Nrf2/HO-1 Expression and Ameliorates Redox Status in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells

“…To date, it has been widely accepted that skeletal muscle contraction leads to a consistent increase in free radical content that, if not adequately contrasted, might induce a decreased mitochondrial respiratory control, loss of sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum integrity, and increased levels of lipid peroxidation products [ 16 , 17 ]. Furthermore, ROS production is deregulated during muscle aging and pathological processes [ 18 , 19 ].…”

The Effect of Exercise Intensity and Duration on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity among Sedentary Healthy Adults: A Repeated Measures Study

“…For any exercise to deliver the expected health bene t, there should be an optimal level of ROS produced during exercise that may induce favourable adaptations following repeated exposure [19], including increased expression of antioxidant enzymes over time such as superoxide dismutase and catalase [90]. However, the increase of oxidative stress above the optimal level may compromise health and performance.…”

An Overview of Physical Exercise and Antioxidant Supplementation Influences on Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Stress

“…The intensity and duration of physical exercises on either side are critical in this respect. It has been demonstrated that increasing these two factors significantly go up the possibility of enhanced ROS production during SM contraction and damage to various cellular components of the body [47], which leads to disturbances of muscle redox balance, muscle fatigue, OS, and impaired athletic performance [48]. One study reported that regular physical exercises with temporary ROS production are important in adapting to exercise-induced stress and optimal physiological function.…”