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. (C) 2010 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.