Association between the use of muscle-building supplements and DNA damage in resistance training practitioners

OBJECTIVES

Little is known about the relationship between the supplements used for sport and safety, especially regarding the induction of genotoxicity. Therefore, more knowledge about a DNA damage possibly caused using sport supplements is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between the use of muscle-building supplements and DNA damage in resistance training practitioners.

METHODS

Muscle-building supplements were classified into three categories based on evidence of efficacy and safety: Strong Evidence to Support Efficacy and Apparently Safe (SESEAS); Limited or Mixed Evidence to Support Efficacy (LMESE), and Little to No Evidence to Support Efficacy and/or Safety (LNESES). DNA damage was evaluated by the comet assay (DNA damage index and frequency) and buccal micronucleus by the cytome assay (micronuclei and nuclear buds). In the sequence, the adjusted analysis of covariance was performed. This study included 307 individuals ages 37.99 ± 13.95 y (52.1% men), of which 157 consumed supplements.

RESULTS

The results of the comet assay revealed that participants who used supplements had higher DNA damage indexes (P = 0.018) and damage frequency (P = 0.045) than those who reported using no supplements. Moreover, the comet assay also indicated that the participants who used supplements classified into the SESEAS category presented the highest DNA damage index (P = 0.025) and frequency (P = 0.044) compared with those who used no supplements. However, we found no significant difference in the micronuclei and nuclear buds in the evaluated groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Supplement use is not associated with permanent damage, suggesting that SESEAS supplements are safe for consumption.

The moderating role of macronutrient intake in relation to body composition and genotoxicity: A study with gym users

In a cross-sectional study of gymnasium users (both sexes, ages = 41.9 ± 14.8 years), we examined the moderating role of macronutrient intake in relation to body composition and genotoxicity. A questionnaire was administered to evaluate characteristics of the participants. To assess macronutrient consumption, we used 24-h food recalls on three non-consecutive days. Body composition (body fat percentage and muscle mass) was evaluated with a bioimpedance scale. Genotoxicity was assessed with the buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Multiple linear regression models were applied, adjusting for age; sex; tobacco and alcohol consumption; and (with regard to exercise habits) frequency, training time, intensity, and types. Micronucleus frequency was directly associated with body fat and inversely associated with muscle mass. Our study shows that carbohydrate and fat intakes affect body fat percentage and micronucleus frequency in gymnasium users.

DNA DAMAGE AND OTHER NUCLEAR ANOMALIES AMONG GYM USERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN BRAZIL AND SPAIN

Populations from different countries may present different cellular modifications among themselves, and the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome (BMCyt) assay in human buccal mucosal tissue may be a marker to evaluate these modifications. This study evaluated and compared DNA damage and other nuclear anomalies between Brazilian and Spanish gym users. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with gym users of Santa Cruz do Sul/Brazil and Madrid/Spain. The BMCyt assay was performed for biomarkers of DNA damage (micronuclei and/or nuclear buds), cytokinetic defects (binucleated cells), proliferative potential (basal cell frequency) and/or cell death (condensed chromatin, karyorrhexis, pyknotic and karyolytic cells) in human buccal mucosal. Of the 228 individuals evaluated, 163 were Brazilian, and 65 were Spanish. Gym users of both countries differed between weight, body mass index, body fat, and muscle mass. The Brazilians presented a significantly higher frequency of micronuclei, nuclear buds, cells with condensed chromatin and karyorrhexis. Spaniards, however presented a significantly higher frequency of karyolytic cells. In conclusion, Brazilian gym users presented significantly higher rates of DNA damage and cell death, while the Spanish presented a higher frequency of advanced stage cell death.

Micronuclei frequency and renal function markers in gym members: The moderating role of supplement intake

This research investigates the moderating role of dietary supplement intake in the relationship between MNi frequency and renal markers in gym members. A cross-sectional study was carried out with gym members of all sexes, between 20 and 59 years of age, with data on supplement use obtained via questionnaire. Renal markers (urea and creatinine) were assessed by blood collection. Buccal mucosa cells were collected to assess MNi frequency by buccal micronucleus cytome assay. Moderation was tested using multiple linear regression models by PROCESS macro for SPSS. Results showed significant interactions for supplement use (p = 0.001) and supplement type, ergogenic (p = 0.003) and sports food (p = 0.003), with MNi for urea. For creatinine, only supplement use showed interaction with MNi frequency (p = 0.048). In conclusion, supplement intake is a moderator in the relationship between MNi frequency and renal function markers in gym members.

NÍVEL DE ESTRESSE PERCEBIDO E INSTABILIDADE GENÔMICA ENTRE OS USUÁRIOS DE ACADEMIA

O estresse e a prática de exercícios físicos, implicam em diversos desfechos à saúde dos indivíduos, dentre eles as alterações celulares. O ensaio de citoma de micronúcleo bucal (BMCyt) é um biomarcador amplamente utilizado para avaliar os impactos das características de estilo de vida como níveis de estresse sobre alterações nucleares. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e relacionar o nível de estresse percebido com a ocorrência de dano no DNA e outras anormalidades nucleares/celulares em praticantes de academia. Estudo transversal descritivo, realizado com 116 praticantes de academia de Madrid, Espanha. Um questionário foi utilizado para avaliar o nível de estresse percebido e o BMCyt foi utilizado para avaliar a de dano no DNA e outras anormalidades nucleares/celulares. Dos 116 indivíduos avaliados, 54,3% relataram estar às vezes estressados. Não houve diferença significativa em relação ao nível de estresse relatado e os biomarcadores de dano no DNA (células com micronúcleos ou brotos nucleares), potencial proliferativo (frequência de células basais) e de morte celular (células com cromatina condensada, cariorréxicas, cariolíticas e picnóticas) (p>0,05). Contudo, os praticantes de academia que relataram estar quase sempre/excessivamente estressados apresentaram significativamente menor frequência de células binucleadas (biomarcador de defeitos citogenéticos) em relação aos indivíduos que relataram estar raramente estressados (p=0,008). Nossos resultados mostraram que a maioria dos praticantes de academia relataram estar às vezes estressados. Entretanto, verificou-se que os praticantes de academia que relataram estar quase sempre/excessivamente estressados apresentaram menor frequência de células binucleadas.

Neuropsychomotor development and genomic stability associated to folate and blood iron levels in preschool children

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the neuropsychomotor development and the genomic stability associated to folate and blood iron levels in preschool children. Methods: a cross-sectional study in which evaluated the biochemical exams (complete hemogram, serum ferritin, iron and folate), neuropsychomotor development (Denver II Test) and genotoxicity (micronuclei cytome in buccal mucosa cells) of 55 children aging 36-59 months old. Student´s T test, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's or Spearman's correlation tests were applied with a significance level of p<0.05 for data analysis. Results: the prevalence of anemia was 1.8%. The Denver II test classified 32.7% of the children as normal and 67.3% were suspected of having a delay. The children suspected of having a delay presented a slight reduction on hemoglobin and hematocrit (p=0.05 and p=0.14), intermediate reduction on iron and folate (p=0.29 and p=0.23) and a notable reduction on ferritin (p=0.03). Folate and iron were significantly associated to the frequency of cells with DNA damages (p<0.05). The frequency of binucleated cells was positively associated to the Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) (r=0.56; p=0.02) in children without a delay and negatively with folate (r=-0.334; p=0.047) in children with a delay. Conclusions: this study showed a low prevalence of anemia, but a high rate of children suspected of having a neuropsychomotor, possibly associated to low ferritin levels. Additionally, iron and folate were associated to DNA damage which may have contributed to the psychomotor development delay.