Does aerobic exercises induce mtDNA mutation in human blood leucocytes?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of eight weeks aerobic training on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in human blood leucocytes. Twenty untrained healthy students (training group: n =10, age = 20.7±1.5 yrs, weight = 67.7±10 kg, BF% = 17.5±7.35 & control group: n =10, age = 21±1.3 yrs, weight = 78.5±18.5 kg, BF% = 18.2±6.4) were randomly assigned to two groups and participated in an eight weeks aerobic training program. Blood samples were collected before and after the eight weeks aerobic training. mtDNA mutation were analyzed using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Although, all subjects were fairly young and the possibility of mtDNA mutation at normal condition was unlikely, just to be certain, all blood samples were also analyzed for possible mutation. Those subjects who had mutant mtDNA prior to the study, were excluded. The findings show that there were no changes in mtDNA mutation in human leucocytes in both groups before and after eight weeks aerobic training (P>0.05). These results demonstrate that eight week aerobic training dose not causes mtDNA mutation in human blood leucocytes.

Key words: mtDNA; Oxidative stress; Common deletion; Aerobic training.