Affiliations: Area of Human Physiological Functions, Department of STB, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
Note: [] Corresponding author: Maria Giuliana Tozzi‐Ciancarelli, Department of STB, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy. Tel.: +39 862 433445; Fax: +39 862 433433; E‐mail: ciancare@univaq.it.
Abstract: In this study, we have attempted to verify whether a single bout of strenuous exercise performed by sedentary healthy individuals may interfere with the mechanisms controlling platelet sensitivity through exercise‐related modifications of plasma oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium. Strenuous exercise resulted in an increased ADP‐ and collagen‐evoked platelet aggregation associated with modified membrane fluidity and ion homeostasis. We also observed an enhanced plasma accumulation of secondary products of lipid peroxidation together with an increased susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to in vitro oxidation and a decreased total plasma antioxidant potential. Notably, an acute elevation of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) amount was detected in plasma, whilst a decreased NOx content was measured in platelets. Findings of the current study suggest that oxidative stress induced by acute strenuous exertion may interfere with platelet responsiveness by promoting ox‐LDL‐mediated platelet activation and by decreasing platelet‐derived nitric oxide bioactivity.
Keywords: Exercise, oxidative stress, ox‐LDL, nitric oxide, human blood platelets
