Time of sampling is crucial for measurement of cell-free plasma DNA following acute aseptic inflammation induced by exercise

Abstract

Objectives To determine the time-course changes of cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) following heavy exercise. Methods cfDNA concentration, C-reactive protein levels (hs-CRP), uric acid concentration (UA), creatine kinase activity (CK) were measured before and post-exercise (immediately post, 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 24 h). Results cfDNA increased (15-fold) 30-min post-exercise and normalized thereafter. hs-CRP increased (56%, p < 0.001) 1 h post-exercise, remained elevated throughout recovery (52–142%, p < 0.0001), and peaked (200% rise, p < 0.0001) at 24 h post-exercise. UA and CK increased ( p < 0.05), immediately post-exercise, remained elevated throughout recovery ( p < 0.0001), and peaked ( p < 0.0001) at 24 h of post-exercise recovery. Conclusions cfDNA sampling timing is crucial and a potential source of error following aseptic inflammation.