Influence of an antioxidant vitamin-enriched drink on pre- and post-exercise lymphocyte antioxidant system.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine whether the consumption of a functional drink enriched with vitamin C and vitamin E could alleviate exercise-induced oxidative damage in lymphocytes.


METHODS
Fourteen male amateur trained runners (32-36 years old) were randomized to receive antioxidant supplementation (152 mg vitamin C/day and 50 mg vitamin E/day) or placebo for 1 month in a double-blind study, and participated in a half-marathon race. The volunteers did not take any other antioxidant supplements. Blood samples were taken before and after the half-marathon and after 3 h recovery.


RESULTS
Exercise increased lymphocyte malondialdehyde levels only in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Lymphocytes from the supplemented group accumulated more vitamin C and vitamin E than placebo after exercise and recovery (p < 0.05). Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities increased only in the supplemented group after exercise, whereas superoxide dismutase activity increased in both groups (p < 0.05). Heme oxygenase-1 expression was enhanced during the recovery period only in the placebo group (p < 0.01). Bcl-2 expression decreased after exercise only in the placebo group and remained low during the recovery (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Intense exercise increases lipid peroxidation, decreases Bcl-2 expression and induces an antioxidant response in lymphocytes. Supplementation with moderate levels of antioxidant vitamins reduces exercise-induced oxidative damage, but without blocking the cellular adaptation to exercise.
Laboratori de Ciències de l'Activitat Física, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Antoni
A
Sureda
Pedro
P
Tauler
Antoni
A
Aguiló
Nuria
N
Cases
Isabel
I
Llompart
Josep A
JA
Tur
Antoni
A
Pons
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001628:Beverages; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000187:drug effects; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid