The protein polymorphism of haptoglobin in Korean elite athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate protein polymorphism of the haptoglobin (Hp) and the relationship between Hp phenotypes and anthropometric or biochemical parameters in elite Korean male athletes.


METHODS
Serum samples were collected from 120 Korean male elite athletes. The Hp phenotypes were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by peroxidase staining. Then anthropometric or biochemical measurements were made: body composition, blood pressures, ventilatory responses, cholesterol (total, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol), triglyceride, apolipoprotein A1, lipoprotein (a), creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase.


RESULTS
The gene frequencies of the Hp1-1, Hp2-1 and Hp2-2 phenotypes in Korean male athletes were 12, 37 and 51%, respectively; this polymorphism was significantly associated with the VO(2max) index in the athletes. An excess of the Hp1 allele was also observed in marathon runners compared with the other sporting activities, although it did not have any statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Hp polymorphism exists in elite Korean male athletes and Hp phenotype may be a useful marker for endurance performance in these male athletes.
Kang
Byung Yong
BY
Research Institute for Life Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea.
Kang
Chin Yang
CY
Oh
Sang Duk
SD
Bae
Joon Seol
JS
Kim
Ki Tae
KT
Lee
Kang Oh
KO
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D006242:Haptoglobins