Effect of alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on vitamin E concentrations in Greyhounds before and after a race.
OBJECTIVE
To determine effect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on serum vitamin E concentrations in Greyhounds before and after a race.


METHODS
8 adult racing Greyhounds.


METHODS
Dogs were given 2 capsules of alpha-tocopheryl acetate (total, 680 units [0.5 g]) with food that contained < or = 15 mg of vitamin E/kg each morning for 7 days. Dogs were exercised in a 30 X 30-m grass paddock for 15 minutes twice a day and raced for 500 m twice a week. Blood samples were collected before and 5 minutes after a race, before supplementation was begun, and after 7 days of supplementation. Blood and diet samples were analyzed for tocopherols and alpha-tocopheryl acetate.


RESULTS
Before supplementation, serum alpha-tocopherol concentration after racing (mean +/- SD, 6.7 +/- 2.4 mg/L ) was significantly lower than before racing (12.2 +/- 3.1 mg/L). After supplementation, alpha-tocopherol concentrations were significantly higher overall, although values obtained before (26.6 +/- 5.2 mg/L) and after (29.8 +/- 3.6 mg/L) racing were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with alpha-tocopheryl acetate increased serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations and eliminated the decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration that was detected after a race, which may decrease oxidation during exercise and improve performance or recovery.
Scott
K C
KC
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA.
Hill
R C
RC
Lewis
D D
DD
Boning
A J
AJ
Sundstrom
D A
DA
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D024505:Tocopherols; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014810:Vitamin E; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D024505:Tocopherols