Physical exercise increases global and gene-specific (interleukin-17 and interferon-γ) DNA methylation in lymphocytes from aged women

New Findings What is the central question of this study? Is lymphocyte DNA methylation differentially modulated by resistance training and aerobic exercise in older women? What is the main finding and its importance? The practice of resistance training led to an increased global DNA methylation in lymphocytes. The exercise-induced increase of inflammatory genes methylation may be associated with immune function impairment during ageing. Ageing-induced increase in inflammatory gene expression through a reduction in DNA methylation might contribute to chronic diseases. Regular physical exercise practices, in turn, are associated with a decrease in the incidence of inflammatory diseases. We herein evaluated the effects of three exercise modalities on lymphocyte global and gene-specific (interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 17A (IL-17A) DNA methylation in aged women (68 +/- 7.5 years). This cross-sectional study included 86 women, divided into four groups according to the physical exercise practice: 20 were practicing resistance training (RT); 24 were practicing water aerobics exercise (W); 22 were practicing water aerobics and resistance exercise (RWT), and 20 did not practice any physical exercise (CON). We evaluated volunteer functional capability using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, global lymphocyte DNA methylation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, IFN-gamma and IL-17A methylation by qPCR and CD4(+)IFN-gamma(+) and CD4(+)IL-17(+) cell percentage by flow cytometry. The three physically exercised groups performed functional capability tests in a shorter period and showed a higher global lymphocyte DNA methylation and methylated CpGs of IL-17A and IFN-gamma promoter regions than the control group. The practice of resistance training (RT and RWT groups) lead to high global DNA methylation. The combination of resistance training and aerobic exercise led to the increase of lymphocyte IL-17A and IFN-gamma gene methylation induced by each separately. However, the percentage of IFN-gamma(+) and IL-17(+) cells was lower only in the RT group. The exercise-induced increase of inflammatory-gene methylation may be associated with gene expression changes and immune function impairment during ageing.