Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(10): 633-645
DOI: 10.1055/a-1157-9043
Review

Quantitative Redox Biology of Exercise

Michalis G. Nikolaidis
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece
,
Nikos V. Margaritelis
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece
2   General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, Dialysis Unit, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Antonios Matsakas
3   Centre for Atherothrombotic & Metabolic Disease, Hull York Medical School, Hull, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Biology is rich in claims that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are involved in every biological process and disease. However, many quantitative aspects of redox biology remain elusive. The important quantitative parameters you need to address the feasibility of redox reactions in vivo are: rate of formation and consumption of a reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, half-life, diffusibility and membrane permeability. In the first part, we explain the basic chemical kinetics concepts and algebraic equations required to perform “street fighting” quantitative analysis. In the second part, we provide key numbers to help thinking about sizes, concentrations, rates and other important quantities that describe the major oxidants (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide) and antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione). In the third part, we present the quantitative effect of exercise on superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide concentration in mitochondria and whole muscle and calculate how much hydrogen peroxide concentration needs to increase to transduce signalling. By taking into consideration the quantitative aspects of redox biology we can: i) refine the broad understanding of this research area, ii) design better future studies and facilitate comparisons among studies, and iii) define more efficiently the “borders” between cellular signaling and stress.



Publication History

Received: 14 January 2020

Accepted: 30 March 2020

Article published online:
26 May 2020

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