Exercise, IMA and Sulfhydryl Biomarkers in Young Women

Background: Regular physical activity exerts systemic health benefits that extend to redox homeostasis and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and total sulfhydryl groups (-SH) are increasingly recognized as sensitive biomarkers reflecting oxidative protein modification and thiol-dependent antioxidant capacity, respectively. However, data on their interplay in young women engaged in structured exercise remain scarce. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular exercise on serum IMA and -SH concentrations in healthy young women, thereby providing insights into exercise-induced redox remodeling and sex-specific physiological adaptations. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed involving 30 healthy women aged 18-25 years. Participants were divided into an exercise group (n = 15), who had performed structured training ≥3 sessions per week for at least one year, and a control group (n = 15) with no structured exercise history. Venous blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. Serum IMA was quantified using the albumin-cobalt binding assay, and -SH concentrations were determined via the Ellman method. All analyses were performed in duplicate under standardized laboratory conditions. Independent samples t-tests were applied, and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals.