Passing the anaerobic threshold is associated with substantial changes in the gene expression profile in white blood cells. Homo sapiens

High and moderate intensity endurance exercise alters gene expression in human white blood cells (WBCs), but the understanding of how this effect occurs is limited. To increase our knowledge of the nature of this process, we investigated the effects of passing the anaerobic threshold (AnT) on the gene expression profile in WBCs of athletes. Nineteen highly trained skiers participated in a treadmill test with an incremental step protocol until exhaustion (ramp test to exhaustion; RTE). The average total time to exhaustion was 14:40 min and time after AnT was 4:50 min. Two weeks later, seven of these skiers participated in a moderate treadmill test (MT) at 80% peak O2 uptake for 30 min, which was slightly below their AnTs. Blood samples were obtained before and immediately after both tests. RTE was associated with substantially greater leukocytosis and acidosis than MT. Gene expression in WBCs was measured using whole genome microarray expression analysis before and immediately after each test. A total of 310 upregulated genes were found after RTE, and 69 genes after MT, of which 64 were identical to RTE. Both tests influenced a variety of known gene pathways related to inflammation, stress response, signal transduction and apoptosis. A large group of differentially expressed, and previously unknown, small nucleolar RNA and small Cajal body RNA was found. In conclusion, a 15 min test to exhaustion was associated with substantially greater changes of gene expression than a 30 min test just below the AnT. Overall design: After a general medical checkup, the subjects performed a ramp-type progressive exercise test on a treadmill. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein using indwelling catheter before (T0) and immediately after ramp test to exaustion (T1), and before (T2) and immediately after moderate treadmill test (T3).

高强度与中等强度耐力运动可改变人类白细胞（WBCs）的基因表达，但目前学界对该效应的发生机制仍知之甚少。为深化对这一过程本质的认知，本研究探讨了无氧阈（AnT）相关变化对运动员白细胞基因表达谱的影响。
本研究共纳入19名受过高水平训练的滑雪运动员，让其完成递增负荷至力竭的跑台试验（力竭性斜坡运动试验，RTE）。受试者的平均力竭总时长为14分40秒，其中达到无氧阈后的运动时长为4分50秒。
两周后，其中7名受试者完成了一项中等强度跑台试验（MT）：以80%最大摄氧量持续运动30分钟，该强度略低于其个人无氧阈。两次试验前后均采集血液样本。
相较于中等强度跑台试验，力竭性斜坡运动试验引发了更为显著的白细胞增多症与酸中毒。采用全基因组微阵列表达分析，检测两次试验前后受试者白细胞的基因表达水平。结果显示，力竭性斜坡运动试验后共发现310个上调基因，中等强度跑台试验后则发现69个上调基因，其中64个与力竭性斜坡运动试验的上调基因重合。
两项试验均对一系列与炎症、应激反应、信号转导及细胞凋亡相关的经典基因通路产生调控作用。此外，本研究还发现了一批此前未被报道的差异表达核仁小RNA与卡哈尔体小RNA。
综上，相较于30分钟略低于无氧阈的中等强度运动，时长约15分钟的力竭性运动引发的白细胞基因表达变化幅度显著更高。
试验整体设计：受试者经常规体检合格后，完成跑台斜坡式渐进力竭运动试验。分别通过留置肘前静脉导管，于试验前（T0）、力竭性斜坡运动试验结束即刻（T1）、中等强度跑台试验前（T2）及该试验结束即刻（T3）采集血液样本。