Abstract
BackgroundAlthough studies have demonstrated that physical exercise alters homocysteine levels in the blood, meta-analyses of the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on homocysteine blood concentration have not been performed, especially regarding the duration and intensity of exercise, which could affect homocysteine levels differently.ObjectiveThe aim of this meta-analysis was to ascertain the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on homocysteine levels in the blood.MethodA review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses using the online databases PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and SciELO to identify relevant studies published through June 2015. Review Manager was used to calculate the effect size of acute exercise and exercise training using the change in Hcy plasmaserum concentration from baseline to post-acute exercise and trained vs. sedentary control groups, respectively. Weighted mean differences were calculated using random effect models.ResultsGiven the abundance of studies, acute exercise trials were divided into two subgroups according to exercise volume and intensity, whereas the effects of exercise training were analyzed together. Overall, 22 studies with a total of 520 participants indicated increased plasma homocysteine concentration after acute exercise (1.18 μmol/L, 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.65, p < .01). Results of a subgroup analysis indicated that either long-term exercise of low-to-moderate intensity (1.39 μmol/L, 95% CI: 0.9 to 1.89, p < .01) or short-term exercise of high intensity (0.83 μmol/L, 95% CI: 0.19 to 1.40, p < .01) elevated homocysteine levels in the blood. Increased homocysteine induced by exercise was significantly associated with volume of exercise, but not intensity. By contrast, resistance training reduced plasma homocysteine concentration (-1.53 μmol/L, 95% CI: -2.77 to -0.28, p = .02), though aerobic training did not. The cumulative results of the seven studies with a total of 230 participants in exercise training analysis did not demonstrate a significant impact on homocysteine levels in the blood (-0.56 μmol/L, 95% CI: -1.61 to 0.50, p = .23).ConclusionsCurrent evidence demonstrates that acute exercise increases homocysteine levels in the blood independent of exercise duration and intensity. Resistance, but not aerobic training decreases plasma homocysteine levels.
Highlights
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur amino acid synthesized in the liver in response to methionine metabolism [1]
22 studies with a total of 520 participants indicated increased plasma homocysteine concentration after acute exercise (1.18 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71 to 1.65, p < .01)
Resistance training reduced plasma homocysteine concentration (-1.53 μmol/L, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): -2.77 to -0.28, p = .02), though aerobic training did not
Summary
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur amino acid synthesized in the liver in response to methionine metabolism [1]. Humphrey et al [7] demonstrated that each additional 5 μmol/L in Hcy levels increased the risk of cardiovascular events by approximately 20%. Silva Ade et al [19] reviewed 34 studies and found generally higher levels of Hcy after acute exercise but no clear effect of exercise training. No meta-analyses of the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on Hcy concentration in the blood have been performed, especially regarding duration and intensity of exercise, which could impact Hcy levels differently. Studies have demonstrated that physical exercise alters homocysteine levels in the blood, meta-analyses of the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on homocysteine blood concentration have not been performed, especially regarding the duration and intensity of exercise, which could affect homocysteine levels differently.
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