Comparison of HIF1 gene polymorphism (rs11549465) among elite and amateur karate-kas versus non-athletes

One of the major energy systems for power performance in muscles is glycolysis that is regulated by the levels of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1), which acts as a transcription factor in response to hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to compare the HIF1 gene polymorphism (rs11549465) between elite and amateur power karate-kas versus non-athletes.

In this survey, the C/T polymorphism allelic and genotypic distribution of the “HIF1 rs11549465” gene was detected in 550 healthy Iranian persons who were divided into three groups: elite karate-kas (86 males and 86 females) and amateur karate-kas (100 males and 72 females) versus 206 non-athletes (100 males and 106 females).  5 cc blood was taken for DNA extraction and the HIF1 gene T/C polymorphism was determined by PCR from the extracted DNA. Also, RFLP analyses was exerted by electrophoresis separation. Statistical analyses included Chi-Square and multinomial regression tests and data with P < 0.05 were considered to be a significant amount.

The distribution of HIF1 C/T genotype in the groups was significantly different in all of subjects (TC: 25.6%; TT: 11.4% and CC: 63%) (χ2 = 99.889, P = 0.0001), but it was not different between the groups significantly (P > 0.05). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the genotype of HIF1 was not related to the karate-ka's athletic status.

In Iranian population, the HIF1 gene C/T polymorphism is not related to the karate-ka athletic status.