Browsing by Author "Bilici, Omer Faruk"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Biochemical Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Markers in Adolescent Female Athletes
(MDPI, 2025) Bilici, Omer Faruk; Erkan, Dilara; Alexe, Dan Iulian; Tohanean, Dragos Ioan; Demir, Canan; Alexe, Cristina Ioana; Yildirim, Ulas Can
Background: Adolescence is a critical period where exercise-induced oxidative stress is modulated by both training adaptations and hormonal changes, particularly the antioxidant effects of estrogen in females. However, data on how adolescent female athletes respond to long-term exercise remain limited. The aim of this study was to examine oxidative stress levels and some antioxidant defense parameters in adolescent female athletes who train regularly. Methods: The study included 20 adolescent female basketball players (16.65 +/- 0.67 years; 165.50 +/- 0.06 cm; 59.75 +/- 5.50 kg) with at least three years of training experience and 20 non-athlete adolescent female participants (16.80 +/- 0.69 years; 159.95 +/- 0.04 cm; 60.15 +/- 4.23 kg). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) levels were analyzed by a spectrophotometric method using a UV/VIS spectrophotometer in blood samples taken from all participants, and the data were compared between the groups. Results: The results showed that MDA levels were significantly lower in the athlete group (p < 0.01; d = 4.78). In addition, CAT activity was significantly higher in athletes compared to non-athletes (p < 0.01; d = 7.81). However, no significant difference was observed in GSH levels between the groups (p > 0.05; d = 0.15). A strong negative correlation was found between MDA and CAT (r = -0.900). Conclusions: These findings suggest that prolonged exercise reduces oxidative stress and enhances catalase-mediated antioxidant defense in adolescent women. Increased CAT activity and decreased MDA levels support this effect, while stable GSH levels point to the role of compensatory mechanisms.
Effects of Regular Exercise on Ischemia-Modified Albumin and Total Sulfhydryl Levels in Young Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
(Frontiers Media SA, 2025) Bilici, Omer Faruk; Kahraman, Muhammed Zahit; Turker, Ali; Seyhan, Sinan; Sahin, Mehmet Furkan; Demir, Halit; Bakum, Abdullah
Background Regular physical activity provides systemic health benefits, including improvements in redox homeostasis and antioxidant defense. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and total sulfhydryl groups (-SH) serve as sensitive biomarkers of oxidative protein modification and thiol-dependent antioxidant capacity. However, evidence regarding their relationship in young women who participate in structured exercise remains limited. This study aimed to investigate associations between regular exercise and serum IMA and -SH concentrations in healthy young women to better understand potential exercise-related redox differences and sex-specific physiological profiles. Methods This cross-sectional study included 30 healthy women aged 18-25 years, recruited from university campuses and local fitness facilities. Participants were assigned to an exercise group (n = 15), performing structured training >= 3 sessions per week for at least 1 year, or a sedentary control group (n = 15) with no structured exercise history. After ethical approval and informed consent, venous blood samples were drawn following overnight fasting. Serum IMA was measured using the albumin-cobalt binding assay, while -SH concentrations were determined via the Ellman method. All analyses were conducted in duplicate under standardized laboratory conditions. Independent samples t-tests and Cohen's d effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results Baseline anthropometric variables (age, height, weight) did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). Serum IMA levels were significantly higher in the exercise group than in controls (0.75 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.61 +/- 0.08 ABSU; p < 0.001; d = 1.65). Conversely, -SH concentrations were significantly lower among exercising women (0.370 +/- 0.046 vs. 0.447 +/- 0.036 mmol/L; p < 0.001; d = -1.88). Both biomarkers showed very large effect sizes, reflecting robust differences in oxidative stress and antioxidant defense associated with regular physical training. Conclusion This cross-sectional analysis indicates that regular structured exercise in young women is associated with a distinct redox profile characterized by elevated IMA and reduced -SH levels. This dual pattern may reflect altered redox homeostasis with increased oxidative protein modification and greater thiol utilization. IMA and -SH appear to be complementary biomarkers for evaluating exercise-related redox responses. Future longitudinal studies are needed to establish causal mechanisms and clinical significance.