Effects of sauna bathing on stress-related genes expression in athletes and non-athletes.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized comparative pre-post experimental study
PubMed 28378983 · doi:10.5604/12321966.1233977
What was done
Nine athletes and nine non-athletes matched for age, height, and body mass underwent a Finnish sauna protocol involving two heat exposures at 98.2 °C and 10% ± 2% relative humidity, separated by a 5-minute cool shower break. Blood samples were drawn before and after the heat challenge to assess leukocyte mRNA expression of heat-shock proteins (Hsp70, Hsp27), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP) using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
What was found
Differences in leukocyte mRNA expression were observed between cohorts, with non-athletes exhibiting higher expression levels across all tested genes in response to the heat challenge compared to athletes. The abstract provides no numerical values, baseline concentrations, fold-changes, or p-values.
Why it matters
This study suggests that baseline physical fitness and regular athletic training may modulate the cellular stress response, dampening the acute transcription of heat-shock and inflammatory markers caused by severe heat stress.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 9 per group), creating high vulnerability to random variation. The abstract reports no quantitative values, variance metrics, or statistical significance levels. Measurements were restricted to mRNA levels in leukocytes rather than circulating protein levels or functional outcomes, and evaluations were limited to immediate pre- and post-session time points.
Cited by
- partial Exposure to a 163°F sauna for 30 minutes increased heat shock protein levels by approximately 50% in healthy young men and women, with levels remaining elevated for up to 48 hours.