Antioxidant supplementation, Ascorbic acid, Alpha tocopherol, Malondialdehyde

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Am. J. Biomed. Sci. 2009, 1(2), 166-170; doi: 10.5099/aj090200166
Received: 5 January 2009; | Revised: 8 February 2009; | Accepted: 14 March 2009

Effect of Vitamin Supplementation on Exercise Induced Oxidative Stress in Trained Elite Indian Cyclists

Chhavi Gupta ^1,2*, Pradeep H. Gupta³ and Balwant Singh¹

¹Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India

²Department of Research Services, Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VA), Miami, Florida

³Department of Biochemistry, Sports Authority of India, Netaji Subas National Institute of Sports (SAI-NSNIS), Patiala, India.

*Corresponding Author:

Chhavi Gupta

Research Associate

Department of Research Services,

Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VA), Miami, Florida

E.mail: chhavi.avo@gmail.com

Abstract

It has been established that intense physical exercise is associated with an increase in free radical production. Our body has defense system to combat the deleterious effect. But, when the body’s natural defense system against free radicals are overwhelmed, oxidative stress increases. In the present investigation, we studied the effect of vitamin supplementation (composed of 400 IU of vitamin E and 500 mg ascorbic acid for 2 months) on oxidative and enzymatic exercise stress markers during endurance training activity in 50 trained elite Indian cyclists attending national camp at Sports Authority of India, Netaji Subas National Institute of Sports (SAI-NSNIS), Patiala, India. Serum concentrations of ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were measured before supplementation and after completion of 2 months of antioxidant supplementation. Antioxidant supplementation led to significant increase in serum alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid from pre-supplementation to post-supplementation stage. Serum MDA concentration and SOD activity decreased significantly after 2 months of antioxidant treatment. There was increase in serum catalase activity after supplementation compared to before supplementation. The results of the present study suggest that antioxidant supplementation may strengthen the antioxidant defense system, thus reducing the oxidative stress produced after endurance training in elite Indian cyclists.

Keywords: Antioxidant supplementation; Ascorbic acid; Alpha tocopherol; Malondialdehyde (MDA); Superoxide dismutase (SOD); Catalase.

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