Exercise-induced oxidative damage in a person with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Abstract

The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of a single submaximal aerobic workout on the extent of oxidative stress biomarkers in blood in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) and compare this to normal age matched subjects. One male with established G6PD deficiency (Q6PDD) and four males with normal G6PD values (N) ran on a treadmill at 70-75% for 30 minutes. Venous blood samples were collected prior to and within two minutes after the workout. Hemoglobin, reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) were analysed in whole blood, whereas G6PD and thiobarbituric reactive acid substances (TBARS) were analysed in plasma. The G6PDD male had 50 times lower G6PD activity compared to N. Thirty minutes of treadmill running resulted in a 4.5% decrease in GSH, a minimal change in TBARS and 11% increase in GSSG in G6PDD. These results suggest that 30 minutes of exercise do not alter the status of blood oxidative-stress markers in a G6PD deficient male. Other antioxidant substances such as vitamin E, C, carotenoids or antioxidant enzymes such as catalase may have enabled the G6PDD subject to safely exercise without presenting elevated amounts of oxidative stress biomarkers.