Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (1): 147-152.doi: 10.12307/2023.906

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Effects of different exercise types on human DNA damage, DNA methylation and telomere length

Yang Pei   

  1. College of Physical Education, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2022-12-12 Accepted:2023-02-11 Online:2024-01-08 Published:2023-06-29
  • Contact: Yang Pei, College of Physical Education, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Yang Pei, Master, Lecturer, College of Physical Education, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou 545006, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    the Guangxi Philosophy and Social Science Planning Research Project, No. 21FTY011 (to YP)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exercise is not only an effective means to improve physical and mental health, but also has a good intervention effect on the occurrence and development of metabolic, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The reason is related to the epigenetic factors.  
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the effects of different exercise types on human DNA damage, DNA methylation, and telomere length, and analyze the possible mechanism of exercise regulation epigenetic modification, in order to provide a reference for exercise to improve body function.
METHODS: “Exercise, aerobic training, acute exercise, anaerobic training, resistance training, DNA damage, DNA methylation, telomere” were used as the Chinese search terms, and “exercise, sport, aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, resistance training, acute exercise, DNA metabolism, DNA damage, telomere” were used as the English search terms. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI databases, and screened articles according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and finally included 70 articles.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Long-term aerobic, resistance, and anaerobic exercises can improve DNA damage. The reason is that exercise can improve the body’s antioxidant capacity. Acute exercise can aggravate the degree of DNA damage by up-regulating the expression of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen oxides. (2) Acute exercise, long-term resistance exercise, and anaerobic exercise play a positive role in reducing DNA methylation. The key mechanism may be that exercise-induced reactive oxygen species changes the expression of glutathione oxidized/glutathione, DNA methyltransferase, and 10-11 translocation enzyme. Then it can regulate DNA methylation. (3) Compared with other types of exercise, long-term aerobic exercise may have more potential value in increasing telomere length, and its biological mechanism involves inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA methylation, and regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression. (4) Based on the current literature, aerobic exercise lasting at least 2 years can increase telomere length, and future research should further clarify the optimal exercise duration.

Key words: sports, epigenetic, DNA damage, methylation, telomere

CLC Number: