Ce mois-ci, une nouvelle publication conduite par une équipe autrichienne dirigée par le Prof. Wagner, vous est proposée au regard de son intérêt majeur dans la problématique des conséquences d'un triathlon distance Ironman sur l'endommagement de l'ADN leucocytaire :

Free Radic Res. 2009 Aug;43(8):753-60

DNA damage in response to an Ironman triathlon.

Reichhold S, Neubauer O, Hoelzl C, Stadlmayr B, Valentini J, Ferk F, Kundi M, Knasmuller S, Wagner KH.

The major aims of this study were to investigate the effect of an Ironman triathlon on DNA migration in the single cell gel electrophoresis assay, apoptosis and necrosis in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay with lymphocytes and on changes of total antioxidant capacity in plasma.

Blood samples were taken 2 days (d) before, within 20 min, 1 d, 5 d and 19 d post-race. The level of strand breaks decreased (p<0.05) immediately after the race, then increased (p<0.01) 1 d post-race and declined (p<0.01) until 19 d post-race. Apoptotic and necrotic cells decreased (p<0.01) and the total antioxidant status increased (p<0.01) immediately after the race.

The results indicate that ultra-endurance exercise does not cause prolonged DNA damage in well-trained male athletes.