title: Effects of sauna bathing on stress-related genes expression in athletes and non-athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Heat stress induces the expression of genes encoding heat-shock proteins and immune response mediators. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the expression of genes encoding heat-shock proteins 70 kDa and27 kDa, interleukin 6, interleukin 10and C-reactive protein, between athletes and non-athletes after sauna bathing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Athletes (n=9) and non-athletes (n=9) were exposed to a Finnish sauna twice during one session at a temperature of 98.2 °C and humidity of 10% ± 2%, with a 5 min break for cooling down under a shower. The groups did not differ in terms of age, height or body mass. Blood samples were taken before and after sauna exposure in order to assess gene expression, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Differences were observed in leukocyte mRNA levels of tested genes between athletes and non-athletes. In the non-athlete group, all the tested genes were expressed at higher levels as a response to the same heat challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that expression of stress-related genes induced by heat stress is dependent on the level of physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Life Sciences, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zychowska
authors.affiliation: Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, Department of Medicine and Health, Kielce, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Półrola
authors.affiliation: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Department of Management in Sport, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chruściński
authors.affiliation: Pedagogical University, Department of Special Pedagogy, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zielińska
authors.affiliation: Old Polish University, Kielce, Poland.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Góral-Półrola
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D055551:HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000235:genetics*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D029002:Steam Bath; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055551:HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D002097:C-Reactive Protein