This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correction (v17,p3628) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Reichhold, S. Articles by Wagner, K.-H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Reichhold, S. Articles by Wagner, K.-H.

No Acute and Persistent DNA Damage after an Ironman Triathlon

¹ Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna; ² Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Requests for reprints: Karl-Heinz Wagner, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Phone: 43-1-4277-54930; Fax: 43-1-4277-9549. E-mail: karl-heinz.wagner{at}univie.ac.at

During acute and strenuous exercise, the enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species can induce damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an Ironman triathlon (3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle, 42 km run), as a prototype of ultra-endurance exercise, on DNA stability. As biomarkers of genomic instability, the number of micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds were measured within the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay in once-divided peripheral lymphocytes of 20 male triathletes. Blood samples were taken 2 days before, within 20 min after the race, and 5 and 19 days post-race. Overall, the number of micronuclei decreased (P < 0.05) after the race, remained at a low level until 5 days post-race, and declined further to 19 days post-race (P < 0.01). The frequency of nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds did not change immediately after the triathlon. The number of nucleoplasmic bridge declined from 2 days pre-race to 19 days post-exercise (P < 0.05). The frequency of nuclear buds increased after the triathlon, peaking 5 days post-race (P < 0.01) and decreased to basic levels 19 days after the race (P < 0.01). The results suggest that an Ironman triathlon does not cause long-lasting DNA damage in well-trained athletes. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(8):1913–9)

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2008; 17(12): 3628 - 3628. [Full Text] [PDF]