Flow Cytomeric Measurement of Nuclear Protein Content induced by Intensive Sporting Exercise

Purpose: Intensive exercise induces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may cause DNA damageand protein modifications. DNA damage should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid mutation to the organism. For this purpose, repair proteins are required. The aim of this study is to test whether or not intensive exercise results in an alteration in nuclear protein content. Material and Methods: Twelve athletes were exposed to exercise on a treadmill. Buruce protocol was used for exercise. Peripheral bloods with heparin samples were obtained from athletes before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the exercise. Nuclei from peripheral blood mononuclear cell were isolated and stained with propidium iodide, and fluorescein isothiocyanate for DNA and proteins measurement respectively, and was measured. Results: While an increase in the nuclear protein content of 10 athletes were increased immediately after exercise compared with that before exercise (p=0.001), no difference was found between the pre- and post-exercise. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that intensive exercise induces an increase in the protein content to prevent the oxidation/damage in cell nucleus and these proteins return to cytoplasm after fulfilling their duty.