The Effect of Repeated Whole-Body Cryotherapy on Sirt1 and Sirt3 Concentrations and Oxidative Status in Older and Young Men Performing Different Levels of Physical Activity

Abstract

Background: The activity of antioxidant enzymes and sirtuins (Sirt) decreases along with age, which is counteracted by aerobic training. Sirtuins increase antioxidant defence. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) increases total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in young men. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of 24 WBC treatments on the blood concentration of selected sirtuins and the level of antioxidant defence as well as oxidative stress index of training and non-training men depending on age. Methods: The study involved 40 males. In each group, there were 10 non-training older and young men (60 NTR and 20 NTR), and 10 older and young long-distance runners (60 TR, 20 TR). During an 8-week period, participants underwent 24 WBC treatments (3 min −130 °C), which were performed three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The concentrations of Sirt1, Sirt3, TAC, total oxidative status and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the blood were determined before 1 WBC and after 1 WBC, 12 WBC and 24 WBC. Results: After 1 WBC, the activity of GPx and the concentration of Sirt1 and TAC in 60 TR and TAC in 60 NTR increased. After 12 WBC, the level of Sirt1 in 20 NTR and SOD in 20 TR increased. After 24 WBC, the level of Sirt1 increased in 60 TR and in 20 NTR, Sirt3 in 60 TR and SOD in 20 TR. Conclusions: Cryogenic temperatures increase blood levels of Sirt1 and Sirt3 and systemic antioxidant defence in men, but the effect is dependent on age, level of performed physical activity and the number of applied treatments.

Pre-exercise cryotherapy reduces myoglobin and creatine kinase levels after eccentric muscle stress in young women

“…This is a surprising result. According to previous results, an increase in antioxidant potential after WBC was expected, although previous studies included mainly men who manifested, among other things, after a series of WBC treatments an increase in antioxidant defense by increasing the concentration of GSH ( Wojciak et al, 2024 ) an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase) ( Wojciak et al, 2020 ) and nitric oxide synthase ( Wiecek et al, 2021 ).WBC treatments performed in men during muscle-damaging activities reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (H 2 O 2 and NO) and pro-inflammatory proteins ( Zembron-Lacny et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The scholarly dissemination on WBC’s implementation within the field of women’s sports medicine remains inchoate as compared to the entirety of its viable applications. The investigative emphasis is traditionally directed at its utilization for recuperation post physical training or throughout an athletic season, while inquiry into its “prophylactic” or stimulating influences via repeated WBC sessions upon biochemical markers is notably scant ( Szymura et al, 2018 ; Wojciak et al, 2020 ; Zembron-Lacny et al, 2020 ).…”

“…In animal muscle cells, after cryotherapy, inflammatory processes after injury were found to be attenuated by regulating the expression of mRNA for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and a reduction in the percentage of macrophages ( Vieira Ramos et al, 2016 ). In human, WBC significantly reduced the post-exercise generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (H 2 O 2 and NO), and the concentrations of serum interleukin 1β and C-reactive protein ( Zembron-Lacny et al, 2020 ), as well as increased sirtuins concentration (Sirt1, Sirt3) and antioxidative capacity ( Wojciak et al, 2020 ).…”

The Effect of Physical Activity and Repeated Whole-Body Cryotherapy on the Expression of Modulators of the Inflammatory Response in Mononuclear Blood Cells among Young Men

“…It has been shown in studies on animals that low temperatures can alter sirtuins activity [20], particularly increasing the expression of sirtuin 3, a protein involved in thermogenesis and cold adaptation [21]. These findings open up new avenues for research regarding the effects of extremely low temperatures on these proteins in humans, especially within the context of WBC [12].…”

“…Such adaptations are beneficial for maintaining optimal prooxidativeantioxidative balance and enhancing the body's defense against oxidative stress, with a minimum of 20 sessions recommended for restoring normal hematological and immunological parameters [11]. Evidence suggests that the antioxidative response to WBC may vary according to the age of the participants [12]. A single session of WBC can affect the prooxidative-antioxidant balance, as indicated by the glutathione disulfide to glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH) [13].…”