title: Effects of acute L-carnitine supplementation on nitric oxide production and oxidative stress after exhaustive exercise in young soccer players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute L-carnitine supplementation at two different doses on nitric oxide (NO) production and oxidative stress after exhaustive exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 26 healthy males aged 17-19 years. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 13 each and received 3 or 4 g L-carnitine via a glass of fruit juice. After 1 h, the treadmill test was started at a speed of 8 km/h, afterwards increasing the speed 1 km/h every 3 min with a 1 min rest before every speed increase until exhaustion. Venous blood samples were collected again within 5 min following the exercise test. One week later, the test was repeated on the same athletes with placebo fluids. All subjects received a placebo via a glass of fruit juice. 1 h after the same exercise protocol mentioned above was performed and blood samples were drawn immediately. These plasma samples were used for measurement of nitrate-nitrite (NOx), which are known to be the stable end products of NO, TBARs as a lipid peroxidation indicator and an antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study have shown that L-carnitine applied at a 3 g dose provides strong antioxidant action by increasing the GSH and NOx level and decreasing the TBARs level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Faculty of Health Sciences Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey - fsbircan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atalay Guzel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erikoglu Orer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sezen Bircan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coskun Cevher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D005082:Physical Exertion; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012916:Soccer; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005978:Glutathione; D002331:Carnitine