Comparison of microRNA expression profiles of athletes involved in endurance sports and non-athletic volunteers using a hypoxia signaling pathway panel

In recent years, interest in the search for new potential molecular biomarkers to assess the effectiveness of the training process in elite sports, various pathologies caused by overload, and abuse of prohibited substances has reached an unprecedented level. MicroRNAs that regulate the processes of metabolism, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of cells at the post-transcriptional level are the most valuable candidates for use in this regard. They are found in all biological fluids of the human body, are stable during long-term storage and resistant to changes in environmental conditions. It is known that changes in the miRNA expression profile are closely associated with physical activity, as well as with the administration of recombinant hormones, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and other substances and methods that improve sports performance, which are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Objective: In this study, plasma samples from athletes involved in endurance sports (race walking) and non-athletic volunteers were analyzed using a hypoxia signaling pathway panel to identify hypoxia candidate markers.

Materials and methods: Expression profiles of plasma circulating miRNAs were assessed by reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT Q-PCR). The obtained data were subjected to statistical processing using the CFX Manager Software v3.1 program.

Results: Three potential microRNA markers were identified: hsa-miR-210-3p, hsa-miR-320a and hsa-miR-935 (increased in athletes by 61.6 times, 51.8 and 41.0 times, respectively) — of physiological response to the training, load, which may be associated with the emergence of hypoxia during endurance training.

Conclusion: We have obtained preliminary data on differences in the expression profiles of circulating miRNAs in healthy non-athletic volunteers and professional athletes in the out-of-competition period. In the future, it is planned to expand the sample of studied blood plasma samples and compare the expression profiles of circulating microRNAs in athletes in competition and out-of-competition periods, as well as to compare the expression profiles of circulating microRNAs during aerobic and anaerobic loads. In addition, it is of interest to analyze changes in the expression levels of circulating miRNAs when using hypoxia mimetics applied to improve sports performance.

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