title: Effect of cysteine derivatives administration in healthy men exposed to intense resistance exercise by evaluation of pro-antioxidant ratio.
abstract: The aim of this study was to ascertain the influence of cysteine derivatives on pro-antioxidant equilibrium and to compare the antioxidant effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, and taurine by using Loverro's coefficient (pro-antioxidant ratio) in healthy men exposed to intensity-resistance exercise. Fifty-five men were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (CON, placebo), N-acetylcysteine (NAC 1.8 g.day(-1), 3 days), alpha-lipoic acid (LIP 1.2 g.day(-1), 3 days), or taurine (TAU 3 g.day(-1), 3 days). The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities, lipid peroxidation products (TBARS), and plasma protein thiol concentrations were evaluated. The P/A ratio was determined from the mean values of TBARS, SOD, GPx, and CAT. The applied exercise at maximal intensity induced the significant changes in pro-antioxidant equilibrium toward peroxidation, which was proved by a 25% increase in TBARS concentration in the CON group. The peroxidation was significantly diminished by NAC (-14%) and LIP (-16%), whereas TAU had no effect on the TBARS concentration. Cysteine derivatives administration prevented exercise-induced decline in SOD activity and increased in GPx activity during exercise. CAT activity changed only in the LIP group. The estimation of P/A ratio showed the lowest level of pro-antioxidant equilibrium after LIP administration. In the CON group, P/A ratio was directly correlated with the protein thiols level (r = 0.495, p < 0.001). These data confirm the antioxidant action of tested cysteine derivatives, particularly lipoic acid, and demonstrate the practical application of P/A ratio to evaluate the effectiveness of antioxidants in athletes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Medical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Culture, University of Physical Education Poznan, Gorzow Wlkp, Poland. agzem@gorzow.home.pl
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zembron-Lacny
authors.forename: Kazimierz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szyszka
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szygula
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D013654:Taurine; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000111:Acetylcysteine