Long term Tai Chi exercise reduced DNA damage and increased lymphocyte apoptosis and proliferation in older adults.
Effect of Tai Chi exercise on the level of DNA damage using the comet assay, lymphocyte viability and frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) were determined in adults aged above 45. Tai Chi participants of 7 years (n=35), showed higher level of normal DNA and lower level of mild and severely damaged DNA as compared to the sedentary subjects (n=35). The former are suggested to have effective DNA repair mechanism as their frequency of SCE was markedly lower. Higher lymphocyte apoptosis and proliferation found in the Tai Chi participants also indicated that the exercise promotes renewal and regeneration of lymphocytes.
Goon
J A
JA
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz, Cheras 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. joaan@medic.ukm.my
Noor Aini
A H
AH
Musalmah
M
M
Yasmin Anum
M Y
MY
Wan Ngah
W Z
WZ
D017209:Apoptosis; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange; D026302:Tai Ji