Comparison of NRF2 gene polymorphism rs12594956 in elite and amateur karate-kas vs. non-athletes

The genetic status of athletes plays a significant role in their success. Considering the importance of NRF2 gene polymorphism in aerobic capacity as one of the success factors of athletes, the purpose of this research Comparison of NRF2 gene polymorphism rs12594956 in elite and amateur karate-kas vs. non-athletes. Blood samples were collected in tubes, after DNA extraction, PCR for determining the type of A/C polymorphisms by preparation of primers, samples were electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel using RFLP method via MfeI enzyme. To analyze the data, simple ANOVA, chi-square and logistic regression used in SPSS version 21 software. The significance level was also determined at p<0.05.

The results showed that there was significant within-group difference in distribution of A/C in amateur groups (χ2=8.667, P=0.013) and non-athletes (χ2=6.494, P=0.039). While this distribution did not show a significant difference between all 3 groups (χ2=3.121, P=0.528). Also, in elite athletes, compared to non-athletes, frequency of A/A is higher than C/C: with a coefficient of 1.049, and frequency of A/C is higher than C/C with a coefficient of 0.918 was less. In the case of amateur athletes, the frequency of A/A compared to C/C with a factor of 1.701 times that of non-athletes and the frequency of A/C compared to C/C with a factor of 1.312 times It was more in amateur athletes than non-athletes.

The results of the present research show the high previlance of genotypes related to the lower function of the NRF2 gene for the aerobic energy supply system.