FEATURES OF CHANGES IN METABOLIC PARAMETERS AND DNA METHYLATION IN CHILDREN AGED 7-10 YEARS ENGAGED IN SWIMMING

Abstract

Many studies conducted with athletes do not take into account the features of adaptive changes in metabolism. This leads to ambiguity and contradictory data on many indicators in response to a single physical load. This applies to the energy substrates used, hormonal background, changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Many studies conducted with athletes do not take into account the features of adaptive changes in metabolism. This leads to ambiguity and contradictory data on many indicators in response to a single physical load. This applies to the energy substrates used, hormonal background, changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Some metabolites, such as lactate, can directly regulate the activity of epigenetic modification enzymes. The aim of the study: to study the features of changes in metabolic indicators and epigenetic DNA methylation in children aged 7-10 years involved in swimming. Material and methods. The study involved 30 children aged 7-10 years, who were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 10 children aged 7-10 years, who were not involved in any kind of sports - control. Group 2 included 10 children aged 7-10 years, who had been swimming for 1 year. Group 3 included 10 children aged 7-10 years, who had been swimming for 3 years. Lipids, DNA methyl-transferase 1 and 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine content were determined by ELISA, glucose and lactic acid - on a biochemical autoanalyzer from Mindray (China) using standard kits. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2010 by the method of variation statistics with calculation of arithmetic means and their errors (M±m). The statistical significance of differences in independent samples with normal distribution was assessed using the Student t-test. Differences were considered significant at p<0.05. Study results. The indicators characterizing metabolic processes and DNA methylation were studied in children aged 7-10 years, obtained during regular training and at peak loads during preparation for competitions. The results obtained allowed us to draw the following conclusion. After 1 year of training, in children was observed  a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and non-significant LDL, as well as a significant increase in HDL, glucose and lactic acid. At the same time, children after 3 years of training showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL, as well as a significant increase in HDL compared with similar results in children who do not play sports. There was also a significant decrease in glucose and lactic acid levels relative to children who were engaged in swimming for 1 year. A significant decrease in the activity of DNA methyl transferase 1 and the 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine index was revealed after 1 year and more pronounced after 3 years of training at the peak of the training regime relative to the usual training process. Conclusion. The presented changes in children aged 7-10 years are probably associated with a shift in metabolic processes towards increased catabolism in order to adapt to increased physical exertion and the duration of the training process.