NRF2 genotype improves endurance capacity in response to training

Abstract

The aim of this work was to examine the association between the polymorphisms in nuclear respiratory factor (NRF2) gene and endurance capacity measured prior to and after an 18-wk endurance training program in young Chinese men. The phenotypes measured were running economy (RE) and V̇O 2max. The RE was determined by measuring submaximal V̇O 2 for 5 min at a constant running speed of 12 km·h -1 and V̇O2max was measured during an incremental test to volitional exhaustion. Genomic DNA was extracted from white cells of peripheral blood and the genotypes were examined in SNPrs12594956, rs8031031 and rs7181866 by PCR-RFLP. Genotype distributions were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at three loci, and linkage disequilibrium was observed (LD D′ = 1 and r2 = 0.903) between rs8031031 and rs7181866. The V̇O 2max was associated with rs12594956 at baseline while the training response of V̇O2 at RE, was associated with rs12594956, rs8031031 and rs7181866. When the three SNPs were considered together, those carrying the ATG haplotype had 57.5% higher training response in V̇O2 at RE (p = 0.006) than non-carriers. In conclusion, polymorphisms in NRF2 gene may explain some of the between-person variance in endurance capacity. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.