Projects / Programmes
Assessment of blood parameters and extracellular vesicles for optimization of sport results
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.10.02 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
Kinesiology - medical aspect (orthopedy, physiatry etc.) |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B000 |
Biomedical sciences |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
Sport results; Blood teste; Extracellular vesicles; Nanomaterial; Nanosensors
Researchers (31)
Organisations (4)
Abstract
Scientific background: Composition of blood and properties of its constituents importantly influence achievements in sport and also indicate health risks. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) (Fig. 1 in attachment) are tiny (in the range of 20 nanometers – 1000 nanometers) membrane – enclosed cell fragments which are formed in the last stage of the membrane budding or in cell death. They are shed into extracellular solution and become mobile with body fluids, especially blood. Isolation of EVs from body fluids (especially blood) and their assessment (measuring their concentration and composition) reflects the status of the organism, in particular of the cells in blood, of blood plasma and of endothelium.
Problem: Knowledge on the impact of specific sport activities connected with results of competitive and recreational sport on mechanisms connected to EVs is yet rudimentary. It is of interest how different sport regimes (aerobic, anaerobic, intensity, mode and level of competition), environmental factors (hypoxia, temperature, pollution), intake of substances (water, dietary supplements), and physical status (sex, age, body mass index, fat and muscle mass) affect microvesiculation in vitro and ex vivo and what is the relation of these processes to composition of blood.
Aims: It is our aim to elaborate a method for following, predicting and optimizing performance in sports, based on assessment of EVs in blood isolates. The method will improve planning of the preparation for sport achievements and minimize the risk for adverse effects such as cardiovascular and neural system overload, oxidative stress and thromboembolisms. We will consider some chosen environmental impact factors with special emphasis on nanoparticles, which can cause oxidative stress. Sport results and athletes' health status will be interpreted in the light of EV-based biomarkers and blood composition. Based on the interaction between EVs and nanoparticles we will design a bionanosensor for assessment of the subject's status.
Methods: We will study acknowledged blood cell parameters (the number of cells of different types, their volume and distribution), cell activation markers, plasma content of growth hormones, cholesterol, inflammation and anti-inflammation markers and coagulation parameters, by standard methods (flow cytometry and ELISA tests). State of the cholinergic system will be assesed by spectroscopic methods. We will isolate EVs (by centrifugation and washing of samples) and study their concentration in isolates and presence of specific receptors at their surfaces by flow cytometry. The impact of substances and pollutants will be studied through their interaction with blood cells and phospholipid vesicles. Indirect effects such as osmosis and interaction with added substances will be assessed in vitro by different microscopic techniques and flow cytometry and described by theoretical models based on laws of mechanics and thermodynamics. We will study response of competitive and recreational athletes of both sexes on acute aerobic and anaerobic efforts during preparation (also in hot, hypoxic and polluted environment), before and after the representative competition and in the process of regeneration. We will study acute responses to hydration and intake of food supplements. The level of peripheral and central fatigue directly after the effort will be measured with tensiomyographic method.
Expected results: Based on the support of endogenous mechanisms in athletes we will elaborate and optimize protocols as a base for personalized plan of athlete preparation for achievement of high level results. Results of the study will contribute to a decrease of the risk for adverse effects on athletes' health. We will improve the method for EV assessment by a protocol regarding water and food supplement intake and instructions regarding physical activities prior to blood sampling. We will design a bionanosensor for EV assessment.
Significance for science
Reports in the literature frequently conclude that the methods based on EVs are promising because they address the fundamental physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. However, to our best knowledge there are no systematic studies in which different groups of subjects were assessed by the same procedures. However, such studies are essential for a comprehensive understanding of the role of EVs. The proposed study is extensive and it includes various groups of subjects and various physiologically conditioned factors. The results of the proposed project will therefore present an important contribution to better understanding of physiological role of EVs in conjunction with physical activity. The results will enable identification of links between the EV parameters and standard blood parameters. We will gain information on the impact of physical activity and intake of certain substances (water and dietary supplements) on the vesiculability of blood cells, and its meaning regarding sport results and health risks. Newly developed methods and technologies for assessment of EVs will be useful for following the athlete status. They will also contribute to the breakthrough of diagnostic and therapeutic methods based on the EVs into clinical practice.
Funding would enable continuation of our work and staying in touch with other leading groups in the field of EVs (COST project MEHAD, ISEV association) where we would like to contribute to fulfillment of great expectations regarding EVs.
The results will contribute to the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms such as oxidative stress, immune response, inflammation, metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fat, and hydration.
Tackling the issue of nanoparticles (membrane nano-structures such as EVs and nanotubes, and industrial nanoparticles) also requires the development of new theoretical description adapted to nano scale. Project results will be theoretical models that address non-specific biophysical properties of nanostructures, such as the shape of molecules, their size and electrical properties. The results will therefore contribute to the development of theoretical physics.
Improved understanding of the processes and mechanisms associated with physical activity will support athletes to achieve better results, contribute to the prevention of overload due to physical and mental effort and improve regeneration of the organism. Results of the project will contribute to reduction of the use of illegal substances, as the optimization of the organism efficacy without adverse effects will prove to be more important.
Significance for the country
We collaborate with the enterprises Domel d.o.o, Železniki, Slovenia and Exosomics, Siena, Italy. Within the EU project IMIPEB (EUREKA), experts from Domel d.o.o designed a swinging rotor for large accelerations, which is now used in isolation of EVs. However, a breakthrough to the global market is expected, in particular as a consequence of improvements of the protocol for EV harvesting, which is also the subject of the proposed project. The market of new technologies for testing and diagnostics (devices such as centrifuges with accessories, thermoblocks and biosensors), based on EVs is unlimited. New technologies will enable creation of new jobs.
Methods for blood analysis based on EVs have not yet been standardized. By contributing to the understanding of EV-based mechanisms we can take part in standardizing methods and also be involved in determining the technologies that will be key for service quality assessment.
The results will importantly influence the development of minimally invasive biosensor-based diagnostics. The mechanisms considered are essential for assessing the physiological status as well as for diagnostics of various diseases.
The project will support collaboration of partners (UL and PU) with scientists in the international society, thus increasing reputation of Slovenia in the international scientific area and reducing the gap between highly developed countries and Slovenia.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
