Mechanically demanding eccentric exercise increases nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

• Published in: Journal of sports sciences Vol. 41; no. 12; pp. 1231 - 1239
• Main Authors: Thorley, Josh, Thomas, Craig, Bailey, Stephen J., Martin, Neil R.W, Bishop, Nicolette C., Clifford, Tom
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 18-06-2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Body mass; Exercise; free radicals; Glutathione reductase; Leukocytes (mononuclear); oxidative stress; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; redox balance
• ISSN: 0264-0414; 1466-447X
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2263713

This study examined whether eccentric exercise increases nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Twenty-six recreationally active males (mean [SD]; age 25 [5] y, height 178.4 [6.9] cm, body mass 77.6 [7.4] kg) were allocated to either an exercise (n = 16) or non-exercise (resting) control (n = 10) group. Eccentric exercise involved performing 100 drop jumps from a 0.6 m box. Blood was collected pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise or rest. NRF2/antioxidant response element (ARE) binding was measured in PBMCs; glutathione reductase (GR) and peroxidase (GPX) were measured in plasma. NRF2/ARE binding was greater immediately post- and 1 h post in the exercise vs. rest group (p < 0.05 for all). NRF2/ARE binding was higher at 1 h post vs. post-exercise (fold change from baseline: [post] 1.31 ± 1.31, [1 h] 2.79 ± 3.30; p = 0.003). GR did not increase in response to exercise or rest (p = 0.377) but was higher at all time-points in the exercise vs resting group (p = 0.023). Exercise or rest had no impact on GPX activity (p > 0.05 for all). Eccentric exercise increases NRF2/ARE binding in PBMCs compared to rest.
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