Global DNA Methylation is Stable across Time and Following Acute Exercise

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2018

Publication Title

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche

Volume

177

Issue

12

First page number:

683

Last page number:

688

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Elevated global DNA methylation (gDNAm) has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It is unknown whether gDNAm is stable across time, and whether it is affected by acute exercise. The purpose was to determine the variation of gDNAm over time, and following acute aerobic and anaerobic exercise. METHODS: Fourteen participants provided resting samples each week for four consecutive weeks, at two months, and again at three months. Participants completed a maximal aerobic test to exhaustion (VO2max) as well as a series of Wingate anaerobic cycle tests, providing samples before (pre) and after (post) bouts. DNA was isolated, and methylation was analyzed using a commercially available kit. Variation over time was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, while differences referent to acute exercise was analyzed using a 2(time) x 2(exercise type) repeated measures ANOVA. Significance was accepted at P≤0.05. RESULTS: gDNAm did not vary over time (P=0.105). Additionally, acute aerobic exercise to maximal exertion did not alter gDNAm (P=0.71; pre 1.9±1.0%, post = 1.5±0.8%), and neither did acute anaerobic exercise (P=0.97; pre = 1.9±1.0%, post = 2.1±1.1%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence that the epigenomic marker gDNAm is a stable measure that does not vary over several months. Additionally, this measure is unaffected by acute exercise perturbations whether aerobic or anaerobic in nature. As gDNAm is inversely associated with aerobic fitness, it would be of interest to determine the time course necessary for chronic adaptations due to exercise training.

Keywords

DNA methylation; Epigenomics; Exercise

Disciplines

Exercise Science

Language

English


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