title: Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and immune changes after an ultramarathon.
abstract: The purpose of this randomized study was to measure the influence of vitamin C (n = 15 runners) compared with placebo (n = 13 runners) supplementation on oxidative and immune changes in runners competing in an ultramarathon race. During the 7-day period before the race and on race day, subjects ingested in randomized, double-blind fashion 1,500 mg/day vitamin C or placebo. On race day, blood samples were collected 1 h before race, after 32 km of running, and then again immediately after race. Subjects in both groups maintained an intensity of approximately 75% maximal heart rate throughout the ultramarathon race and ran a mean of 69 km (range: 48-80 km) in 9.8 h (range: 5-12 h). Plasma ascorbic acid was markedly higher in the vitamin C compared with placebo group prerace and rose more strongly in the vitamin C group during the race (postrace: 3.21 +/- 0.29 and 1.28 +/- 0.12 microg/100 microl, respectively, P < 0.001). No significant group or interaction effects were measured for lipid hydroperoxide, F2-isoprostane, immune cell counts, plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1-receptor antagonist, or IL-8 concentrations, or mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. These data indicate that vitamin C supplementation in carbohydrate-fed runners does not serve as a countermeasure to oxidative and immune changes during or after a competitive ultramarathon race.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA. niemandc@appstate.edu
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Nieman
authors.forename: Dru A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Henson
authors.forename: Steve R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: McAnulty
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McAnulty
authors.forename: Nathaniel S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Swick
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Utter
authors.forename: Debra M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Vinci
authors.forename: Shannon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Opiela
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Morrow
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D016207:Cytokines; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes; D007328:Insulin; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014527:Uric Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D006854:Hydrocortisone