Differential response of plasma and immune cell's vitamin E levels to physical activity and antioxidant vitamin supplementation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the differential response of plasma, lymphocyte and neutrophil vitamin E levels to high-intensity physical activity and to vitamin C and E supplementation.


METHODS
In all, 14 male trained amateur runners (32-36 y old) were randomly divided in two groups (supplemented and placebo), and participated in a half marathon race. The subjects did not take any other supplements than the ones provided for this study.


METHODS
Vitamin C (152 mg/day) and E (50 mg/day) supplementation was administrated to athletes for a month, using a new almond-based isotonic and energetic beverage (supplemented group). The usual dietary habits of participants were assessed using a self-reported 7-day 24-h recall before the day of the study. To avoid the beverage influence, nonenriched vitamin C and E almond-based isotonic and energetic beverage was given to the placebo group. After 1 month, subjects participated in a half marathon race (21 km run). Vitamin E concentration was determined in plasma, neutrophils and lymphocytes before and immediately after the race, and 3 h after finishing the race.


RESULTS
Daily energy intake and caloric profile of supplemented and placebo group were not different except for vitamin C and E supplementation. Vitamin supplementation and exercise had no effect on vitamins E levels in plasma. The exercise significantly (P<0.05) increased the lymphocyte vitamin E concentration both in the placebo (+119%) and supplemented groups (+128%), and neutrophil vitamin E content in the supplemented group (+88%). These levels remained significantly (P<0.05) high after the short recovery. After exercise, vitamin E levels in lymphocytes and neutrophils of supplemented subjects were practically twice the levels before exercise, whereas neutrophil vitamin E content of the placebo group was close to those in plasma.


CONCLUSIONS
After endurance exercise, lymphocytes increased their vitamin E content in the supplemented and placebo subjects whereas this trend in neutrophils was just observed in the supplemented group. The determination of vitamin E content in lymphocytes and neutrophils after exercise is a useful tool to assess the functional status of vitamin E.
Cases
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Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Laboratory of Physical Activity Sciences, Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Aguiló
A
A
Tauler
P
P
Sureda
A
A
Llompart
I
I
Pons
A
A
Tur
J A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D012420:Running; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid