Relationships between the Expression of the ACTN3 Gene and Explosive Power of Soccer Players.

Muscle strength and maximal speed are factors determining athlete's results during competition. Their association with ACTN3 gene activity has been documented. The purpose of this study was the analysis of ACTN3 gene expression during a 2 month training cycle of soccer players and its correlation with the countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ). The study group consisted of 22 soccer players (aged 17-18). The study material included peripheral blood lymphocytes. The relative expression (RQ) of the ACTN3 gene was analyzed by qPCR and performed before and after the two-month training cycle. Before the training cycle low expression levels of ACTN3 (median RQ = 0.95) were observed, yet after the training cycle they were elevated (median RQ = 1.98) ( p = 0.003). There was an increase in performance of both jumps: SJ (p = 0.020) and CMJ (p = 0.012) at the end of the training cycle. A simultaneous increase in the ACTN3 gene expression level and height in both jump tests was observed in 73% of athletes (p > 0.05). There were no significant relationships between the ACTN3 gene expression level and the results of the CMJ and SJ. However, explosive strength is a complex feature shaped by many different factors and it could be the reason why we did not observe correlations between these variables.

Genetic and Epigenetic Interactions in the Etiopathogenesis of Osteoarthritis. Selected Molecular Factors in OA Etiopathogenesis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a widespread disease characterized by a multifaceted etiopathogenesis and complicated pathophysiology. OA is connected with systematic degeneration of subchondral bone tissue, articular cartilage, synovial membrane and stenosis of the joint space, which substantially contributes to premature reduction of functional mobility. The results of many epidemiological studies carried out in various populations around the world including genome-wide association studies and analysis of epigenetic modifications (such as miRNA expression, DNA methylation and histone modifications) have indicated a multifaceted nature of the disease. The aim of this paper is to present the state of the art for gene-expression level changes of relevance for the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, including the contribution of epigenetic regulations.The source of search data for this paper was the PubMed database. The following keywords were used as search terms: osteoarthritis, GWAS, epigenetics and miRNA.The reports presented in this paper provide a starting point for further considerations regarding the development of personalized biological therapy. Several hypothetical strategies for the targeted OA treatment development exist nowadays. However, it is important to emphasize that in-depth understanding of the genetic-epigenetic interaction in OA pathogenesis is crucial. Based on the analysis of the aforementioned available study results, the following conclusions can be made: Both environmental factors and genetic-epigenetic interactions contribute to the complex pathogenesis of OA; OA risk genes have been identified; Differences in gene expression in OA may be helpful in assessing progression of the disease; The epigenetic goals of OA therapy have been indicated.