Original articles  BODY COMPOSITION, SPORT NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTATION (ergogenics) 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2006 June;46(2):257-64

Copyright © 2006 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Prooxidant-antioxidant equilibrium in rowers: effect of a single dose of vitamin E

Zembron-Lacny A., Szyszka K., Sobanska B., Pakula R.

Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Culture University School of Physical Education of Poznan Gorzow Wlkp., Poland

Aim. The purpose of this research was to explain whether a single dose of vitamin E influences on disturbances of pro-oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium induced a laboratory 2 000 m rowing test.
Methods. The athletes were divided into two groups: vitamin E (1.000 mg α-tocopherol acetate) and P (placebo: cod-liver oil) supplemented 3 h before exercise. In the subjects’ blood levels of following parameters were estimated: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PC). Creatine kinase (CK) and β-glucuronidase (βG) activities were also measured as markers of muscle damage.
Results. The applied exercise at maximal intensity (lactate: vitamin E=14.39±1.77 mmol/L, P=14.09±1.4 mmol/L) caused significant changes in the tested parameters in both groups: SOD (vitamin E ↓30%, P ↓50%), CAT (vitamin E ↑70%, P ↑12%), GPx (vitamin E ↑49%, P ↑45%), TBARS (vitamin E ↑70%, P ↑71%), PC (vitamin E ↑41%, P ↑78%), CK (vitamin E ↑19%, P ↑32%), βG (vitamin E ↑42%, P ↑47%). The P/A ratio (TBARS/SOD+CAT+GPx) was significantly lower in vitamin E in comparison with placebo, but after 30 min and 24 h restitution it returned to pre-exercise level. Between P/A ratio and PC concentration there was observed positive correlation (P<0.001). No effect of vitamin E on CK and βG activities were observed.
Conclusion. A single dose of 1 000 mg vitamin E enhances oxidative defense thus attenuates oxidative damage but it is not so much relevant to recommend the antioxidant supplementation by rowers.