Clinical Interventions in Aging (Jun 2023)

Sports Participation Promotes Beneficial Adaptations in the Erythrocyte Guanylate Nucleotide Pool in Male Athletes Aged 20–90 Years

  • Pospieszna B,
  • Kusy K,
  • Slominska EM,
  • Ciekot-Sołtysiak M,
  • Zieliński J

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 18
pp. 987 – 997

Abstract

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Barbara Pospieszna,1 Krzysztof Kusy,1 Ewa Maria Slominska,2 Monika Ciekot-Sołtysiak,1 Jacek Zieliński1 1Department of Athletics, Strength and Conditioning, Poznan University of Physical Education, Poznan, Poland; 2Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, PolandCorrespondence: Barbara Pospieszna, Department of Athletics, Strength and Conditioning, Poznan University of Physical Education, Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, Poznan, 61-871, Poland, Tel +48-618-355-270, Email [email protected]: The guanine nucleotide pool (GTP, guanosine-5’-triphosphate; GDP, guanosine-5’-diphosphate, and GMP, guanosine-5’-monophosphate) is an essential energy donor in various biological processes (eg protein synthesis and gluconeogenesis) and secures several vital regulatory functions in the human body. The study aimed to predict the trends of age-related changes in erythrocyte guanine nucleotides and examine whether competitive sport and related physical training promote beneficial adaptations in erythrocyte guanylate concentrations.Methods: The study included 86 elite endurance runners (EN) aged 20– 81 years, 58 sprint-trained athletes (SP) aged 21– 90 years, and 62 untrained individuals (CO) aged 20– 68 years.Results: The concentration of erythrocyte GTP and total guanine nucleotides (TGN) were highest in the SP group, lower in the EN group, and lowest in the CO group. Both athletic groups had higher guanylate energy charge (GEC) values than the CO group (p = 0.012). Concentrations of GTP, TGN, and GEC value significantly decreased, while GDP and GMP concentrations progressively increased with age.Conclusion: Such a profile of change suggests a deterioration of the GTP-related regulatory function in older individuals. Our study explicitly shows that lifelong sports participation, especially of sprint-oriented nature, allows for maintaining a higher erythrocyte guanylate pool concentration, supporting cells’ energy metabolism, regulatory and transcription properties, and thus more efficient overall body functioning.Keywords: guanosine triphosphate, GTP, guanylate energy charge, GEC, purine metabolites, endurance, sprint, master athletes

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