Original Paper

Influence of an Antioxidant Vitamin-Enriched Drink on Pre- and Post-Exercise Lymphocyte Antioxidant System
Antoni Sureda^a, Pedro Tauler^a, Antoni Aguiló^a, Nuria Cases^a, Isabel Llompart^b, Josep A. Tur^a, Antoni Pons<sup>a

a</sup>Laboratori de Ciències de l'Activitat Física, Departament de Biologia Fonamental i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de les Illes Balears, and
^bLaboratori del Carme, Hospital Son Dureta, INSALUD, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2008;52:233-240 (DOI: 10.1159/000140515)

  Key Words

• Oxidative stress
• Antioxidant vitamins
• Exercise
• Lymphocytes
• Heme oxygenase-1

  Abstract

Background/Aims: 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.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Antoni Pons
Laboratori de Ciències de l'Activitat Física
Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. Valldemossa, km 7.5
ES-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Balears (Spain)
Tel. +34 971 173 171, Fax +34 971 173 184, E-Mail antonipons@uib.es

  Article Information

Received: September 10, 2007
Accepted: January 18, 2008
Published online: June 19, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 59