Regular physical exercise prevents nitrosative stress caused by ageing in elderly athletes

Riassunto

Ageing is associated with an increased susceptibility to free radical-induced tissue damage. One of the most important class of free radicals generated in living systems is represented by reactive nitrogen species (RNS), responsible for the so-called nitrosative stress. It has been shown that physical activity is able to induce up-regulation of antioxidant systems contributing to prevent oxidative stress. Aim of the present study was to assess whether regular physical activity is able to counteract age-induced nitrosative stress. Thirty male endurance athletes (age 70.8 ± 6.1 years, VO2 max 59.07 ± 8.5 ml/kg/min) and thirty age-sexmatched sedentary controls (age 71.5 ± 4.3 years, VO2 max 25.6 ± 8.2 ml/kg/min) were studied. Plasma free radicals antioxidant capacity against peroxynitrite, one of the most important RNS, was evaluated as Total Oxyradical Scavenging Capacity (TOSC) units. Results. Plasma TOSC values against peroxynitrite was higher in athletes than in sedentary controls (22,94 ± 1,85 vs 15,41 ± 1,24 units/ml, p < 0,001). . In the athletes group, TOSC values were related to VO2 max (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that regular physical activity is associated with increased antioxidant defences in elderly athletes.

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Percorso di valutazione

Peer reviewed. Certificazione della qualità