title: Anticipation of subsequent demanding exercise increases the expression of haem oxygenase-1 mRNA in human lymphocytes.
abstract: Oxidative stress induces the expression of the cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory protein haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In the present investigation, we show that anticipation of subsequent exercise elevates the expression of HO-1 mRNA in lymphocytes. A between-groups comparison of HO-1 mRNA expression in subjects about to complete a half marathon race vs. subjects who were asked to sit quietly in the laboratory showed an elevated expression of HO-1 mRNA prior to exercise (2.6-fold higher in subjects prior to the half marathon, P < 0.01). This observation led us to examine whether anticipation of subsequent exercise leads to differences in lymphocyte HO-1 mRNA expression within the same subjects. In a second experiment, the same individuals completed two trials, one exercise and one rest, approximately 2 weeks apart in a randomised cross-over design. Lymphocyte HO-1 mRNA expression was greater prior to exercise (1.4 +/- 0.3-fold higher in the exercise trial, P < 0.05). These results suggest that knowledge of subsequent demanding exercise may lead to an anticipatory induction of HO-1 mRNA. We tentatively propose that this process has evolved to prepare lymphocytes for subsequent exercise-induced oxidative stress although the mechanism remains to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Science, School for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Markovitch
authors.forename: Rex M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tyrrell
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C496541:HMOX1 protein, human; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D006854:Hydrocortisone