Mechanically demanding eccentric exercise increases nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

This study examined whether eccentric exercise increases nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Twenty-six recreationally active males (mean [SD]; age 25 [5] y, height 178.4 [6.9] cm, body mass 77.6 [7.4] kg) were allocated to either an exercise (n = 16) or non-exercise (resting) control (n = 10) group. Eccentric exercise involved performing 100 drop jumps from a 0.6 m box. Blood was collected pre-, immediately post- and 1 h post-exercise or rest. NRF2/antioxidant response element (ARE) binding was measured in PBMCs; glutathione reductase (GR) and peroxidase (GPX) were measured in plasma. NRF2/ARE binding was greater immediately post- and 1 h post in the exercise vs. rest group (p < 0.05 for all). NRF2/ARE binding was higher at 1 h post vs. post-exercise (fold change from baseline: [post] 1.31 ± 1.31, [1 h] 2.79 ± 3.30; p = 0.003). GR did not increase in response to exercise or rest (p = 0.377) but was higher at all time-points in the exercise vs resting group (p = 0.023). Exercise or rest had no impact on GPX activity (p > 0.05 for all). Eccentric exercise increases NRF2/ARE binding in PBMCs compared to rest. Pre-registration number: osf.io/kz37g.