Diaphragmatic breathing is relaxing and therapeutic, reduces stress, and is a fundamental procedure of Pranayama Yoga, Zen, transcendental meditation and other meditation practices. Analysis of oxidative stress levels in people who meditate indicated that meditation correlates with lower oxidative stress levels, lower cortisol levels and higher melatonin levels. It is known that cortisol inhibits enzymes responsible for the antioxidant activity of cells and that melatonin is a strong antioxidant; therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and the putative role of cortisol and melatonin hormones in this stress pathway. We monitored 16 athletes during an exhaustive training session. After the exercise, athletes were divided in two equivalent groups of eight subjects. Subjects of the studied group spent 1 h relaxing performing diaphragmatic breathing and concentrating on their breath in a quiet place. The other eight subjects, representing the control group, spent the same time sitting in an equivalent quite place. Results demonstrate that relaxation induced by diaphragmatic breathing increases the antioxidant defense status in athletes after exhaustive exercise. These effects correlate with the concomitant decrease in cortisol and the increase in melatonin. The consequence is a lower level of oxidative stress, which suggests that an appropriate diaphragmatic breathing could protect athletes from long-term adverse effects of free radicals.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acacia polyphenol (AP) supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in mouse liver and skeletal muscle. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), liver and skeletal muscle levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and levels of skeletal muscle protein carbonyls increased immediately after exhaustive exercise. Exhaustive exercise also decreased liver glutathione (GSH). These results suggest that the exhaustive exercise used in this study induced tissue damage and oxidative stress. Contrary to our expectations, AP supplementation increased plasma AST and alanine aminotransferase activities, liver levels of TBARS, and protein carbonyls. Furthermore, AP supplementation decreased glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. On the other hand, AP supplementation decreased TBARS levels in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that oral high-dose AP administration decreased oxidative stress in skeletal muscle but induced oxidative stress in the liver and increased hepatotoxicity.

The effects of ascorbic acid and curcumin on quercetin-induced DNA damage, lipid peroxidation protein degradation were investigated in a model system of isolated rat-liver nuclei under aerobic conditions and in the presence of equimolar concentrations of iron or copper. Neither ascorbic acid nor curcumin inhibited quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, or protein degradation. In fact, both antioxidants stimulated the oxidative damage to nuclear macromolecules. Ascorbic acid significantly increased the quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage in the presence of either iron or copper. The increases in quercetin-induced nuclear lipid peroxidation and protein degradation by ascorbic acid were statistically significant only in the presence of iron or copper, respectively. Similarly, stimulation of quercetin-induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation by curcumin was statistically significant only in the presence of copper or iron, respectively. Curcumin had no significant effect on nuclear protein degradation. These results demonstrate the pro-oxidant properties of ascorbic acid and curcumin, compounds that also demonstrate antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Ascorbic acid and curcumin may therefore each have a dual role in carcinogenesis.

This study aimed to determine the effect of exercise training alone and in combination with coenzyme Q10 (Q10) supplementation on the Q10 level, oxidative damage, and antioxidant defense markers in blood and skeletal muscle tissue in young and aged rats.The study included 4-month old (young) and 20-month old (aged) rats. Each group was further divided into control, exercise training, Q10 supplementation, and Q10 supplementation plus exercise training groups. The exercise training program consisted of swimming for 8 weeks, and Q10 or vehicle during the same period.The Q10 concentration in plasma (P < 0.05), but not in skeletal muscle (P > 0.05) increased significantly following Q10 supplementation in both the young and aged rats. Plasma SOD and CAT activity were significantly higher in the aged rats in the Q10 and Q10 plus exercise training groups than in the other groups (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the groups in skeletal muscle (P > 0.05). Additionally, plasma and skeletal GSH levels did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05).The present findings indicate that Q10 supplementation increased the Q10 concentration in blood but not in skeletal muscle tissue. On the other hand, Q10 administration alone and in combination with exercise challenge improved antioxidant enzyme capacity especially in the aged rats.

OBJECTIVES:To study the effectiveness of yoga intervention on oxidative stress, glycemic status, blood pressure and anthropometry in prediabetes.

DESIGN:Randomized-controlled trial.

PARTICIPANTS:Twenty nine prediabetes subjects aged 30-75 years.

SETTING:Yoga was conducted at 4 different community diabetes clinics in Mangalore, India.

INTERVENTIONS:Participants were randomized to either 3-month yoga or wait-list control groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Malondialdehyde, glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and blood pressure.

RESULTS:Yoga intervention resulted in a significant decline in malondialdehyde (p<0.001), relative to the control group. In comparison with the control, there was a significant improvement in BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels at follow-up. No significant improvement in glycated haemoglobin, waist-to-hip ratio or any of the antioxidants was observed.

CONCLUSIONS:Yoga intervention may be helpful in control of oxidative stress in prediabetes subjects. Yoga can also be beneficial in reduction in BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose. Effect of yoga on antioxidant parameters was not evident in this study. The findings of this study need to be confirmed in larger trials involving active control groups.

PURPOSE:The present study was aimed at investigating the possible antioxidant potential of curcumin at a dose of 75 mg/kg body weight on selenite-induced cataract in experimental rat pups.

METHODS:Group I: Control rat pups receiving physiological saline; Group II: Selenite-induced group (15 microM/kg body wt); Group III: Selenite-induced group co-treated with curcumin (single dose of curcumin orally 75 mg/kg body wt); Group IV: Selenite-induced animals post-treated (after 24 hrs) with curcumin at a dose mentioned for group III; Group V: Rat pups were pretreated with curcumin (dose as mentioned in Group III), 24 hrs before the administration of selenite. Encapsulated lenses liver, kidney, and serum were analyzed for antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation.

RESULTS:Intraperitoneal injection of sodium selenite (15 microM/kg body wt) to 8-10-day-old rat pups led to severe oxidative stress in eye lens as evidenced by enhanced LPO levels that led to cataract formation. Sodium selenite also led to decrease in activities of SOD, GST, GPx, CAT with simultaneous decrease in the levels of GSH, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Treatment with curcumin (75 mg/kg body wt) led to a significant decrease in the levels of LPO, enzymic antioxidants, and nonenzymic antioxidants, which were similar to that of control.

CONCLUSIONS:Curcumin suppressed selenite-induced oxidative stress and cataract formation in rat pups. The presence of oxidative stress in selenite cataract development and its prevention by curcumin support the possibility that the natural consumption of curcumin in food can help prevent the onset of senile cataract.

The present study was aimed to test the hypothesis that paracetamol (PCM) can precipitate autistic like features when used to counteract vaccine-induced fever using experimental rat pups. The pups were treated with measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria tetanus and pertussis (DPT) vaccines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with subsequent PCM treatment. The pups were evaluated for postnatal growth (weight gain, eye opening) and behavior alterations (swimming performance, olfactory discrimination, negative geotaxis, nociception, and locomotor activity) by performing battery of neurobehavioral test. Significant correlation was observed between social behavioral domains (nociception, anxiety and motor coordination) and pro-inflammatory load in the pups when treated with MMR/LPS along with PCM. A significant change in pro and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) markers were observed in rats treated with PCM, MMR, LPS, DPS alone or in combination with MMR, LPS and DPT (5128.6 ± 0.000, 15,488 ± 0.000, 9661.1 ± 157.29, 15,312 ± 249.29, 10,471 ± 0.00, 16,789 ± 273.34and 12,882 ± 0.00). Pups were also scrutinized for the markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and histopathologically. All the treatment groups showed significant alteration in the behavioral changes, oxidative markers (TBARS-in control-4.33 ± 0.02, PCM-9.42 ± 0.18, MMR-5.27 ± 0.15, MMR + PCM-8.57 ± 0.18, LPS-6.84 ± 0.10, LPS + PCM-4.51 ± 0.30, DPT-5.68 ± 0.12, DPT + PCM-7.26 ± 0.18) and inflammatory markers without following any specific treatment. These observation could be accorded to variable phenotypes of autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs).

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) causes severe neurotoxicity in animals, which depicts Huntington's disease (HD) in humans. Embelin, the main active constituent of Embelia ribes, has been reported to possess various pharmacological actions, mainly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant and neuroprotective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of embelin against 3-NP induced experimental HD in rats. Adult Wistar rats were pretreated with vehicle/embelin (10 and 20mg/kg p.o.) for 7 days. From 8th day onwards, embelin was co-treated with 3-NP (15mg/kg, i.p.) for 7 days. At the end of the treatment schedule, animals were evaluated for behavioral alterations and brain homogenates were used for estimation of oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase). 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) stained brain slices were used for lesion size measurement. Administration of 3-NP significantly altered the behavioral and neuronal antioxidant status and caused significant neuronal damage in striatal region. Embelin, at both the tested doses, caused a significant reversal of behavioral and antioxidant status alterations and reversed the striatal neuronal damage induced by 3-NP. These findings suggest the neuroprotective effect of embelin against HD. The observed protective effect might be attributed to the antioxidant properties of embelin.

Intense exercise is directly related to muscular damage and oxidative stress due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both, plasma and white blood cells. Nevertheless, exercise-derived ROS are essential to regulate cellular adaptation to exercise. Studies on antioxidant supplements have provided controversial results. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of moderate antioxidant supplementation (lemon verbena extract) in healthy male volunteers that followed a 90-min running eccentric exercise protocol for 21 days. Antioxidant enzymes activities and oxidative stress markers were measured in neutrophils. Besides, inflammatory cytokines and muscular damage were determined in whole blood and serum samples, respectively. Intense running exercise for 21 days induced antioxidant response in neutrophils of trained male through the increase of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Supplementation with moderate levels of an antioxidant lemon verbena extract did not block this cellular adaptive response and also reduced exercise-induced oxidative damage of proteins and lipids in neutrophils and decreased myeloperoxidase activity. Moreover, lemon verbena supplementation maintained or decreased the level of serum transaminases activity indicating a protection of muscular tissue. Exercise induced a decrease of interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β levels after 21 days measured in basal conditions, which was not inhibited by antioxidant supplementation. Therefore, moderate antioxidant supplementation with lemon verbena extract protects neutrophils against oxidative damage, decreases the signs of muscular damage in chronic running exercise without blocking the cellular adaptation to exercise.

BACKGROUND:The biochemical mechanisms involving oxidative stress to explain the relationship between exercise and healthy aging are still unclear.

METHODS:Tai Chi participants and matched sedentary volunteers age 45 and above were enrolled. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities; levels of DNA damage using the comet assay; and malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced glycation end products (AGE) were determined at 0, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS:Tai Chi subjects had decreased normal and increased mildly damaged DNA with elevated GPx activity after 6 months (n=25). Plasma MDA and AGE concentrations decreased significantly after 12 months (n=15) accompanied by increased SOD activity. This may be attributed to the hormesis effect, whereby mild induction of oxidative stress at the first 6 months of exercise resulted in stimulation of antioxidant defenses. These parameters were unchanged in the sedentary subjects in the first 6 months (n=27) except for elevated SOD activity. After 12 months, the sedentary subjects (n=17) had decreased normal DNA and increased severely damaged DNA with unaltered MDA and AGE levels while SOD and GPx activities were significantly elevated.

CONCLUSION:Regular Tai Chi exercise stimulated endogenous antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidative damage markers.

BACKGROUND:The current study was performed to determine the effects of cumin cyminum L. intake on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight subjects.

METHODS:This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 78 overweight subjects (male, n = 18; female, n = 60) aged 18-60 years old. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups to receive: (1) cumin cyminum L. capsule (n = 26); (2) orlistat120 capsule (n = 26) and (3) placebo (n = 26) three times a day for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measures and fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.

RESULTS:Consumption of the Cuminum cyminum L. and orlistat120 resulted in a similar significant decrease in weight (-1.1± 1.2 and -0.9 ± 1.5 vs. 0.2 ± 1.5 kg, respectively, p = 0.002) and BMI (-0.4 ± 0.5 and -0.4 ± 0.6 vs. 0.1 ± 0.6 kg/m(2), respectively, p = 0.003) compared with placebo. In addition, taking Cuminum cyminum L., compared with orlistat and placebo, led to a significant reduction in serum insulinlevels (-1.4 ± 4.5 vs. 1.3 ± 3.3 and 0.3 ± 2.2 µIU/ml, respectively, p = 0.02), HOMA-B (-5.4 ± 18.9 vs. 5.8 ± 13.3 and 1.0 ± 11.0, respectively, p = 0.02) and a significant rise in QUICKI (0.01 ± 0.01 vs. -0.005 ± 0.01 and -0.004 ± 0.01, respectively, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION:Taking cumin cyminum L. for eight weeks among overweight subjects had the same effects of orlistat120 on weight and BMI and beneficial effects on insulin metabolism compared with orlistat120 and placebo.© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

OBJECTIVES:Physical exercise significantly impacts the biochemistry of the organism. Ubiquinone is a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and ubiquinol, its reduced and active form, is an emerging molecule in sport nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ubiquinol supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress indexes after an intense bout of exercise.

METHODS:21 male young athletes (26 + 5 years of age) were randomized in two groups according to a double blind cross-over study, either supplemented with ubiquinol (200 mg/day) or placebo for 1 month. Blood was withdrawn before and after a single bout of intense exercise (40 min run at 85% maxHR). Physical performance, hematochemical parameters, ubiquinone/ubiquinol plasma content, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, paraoxonase activity and oxidative DNA damage were analyzed.

RESULTS:A single bout of intense exercise produced a significant increase in most hematochemical indexes, in particular CK and Mb while, on the contrary, normalized coenzyme Qplasma content decreased significantly in all subjects. Ubiquinol supplementation prevented exercise-induced CoQ deprivation and decrease in paraoxonase activity. Moreover at a cellular level, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, ubiquinol supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in cytosolic ROS while mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative DNA damage remained unchanged.

DISCUSSION:Data highlights a very rapid dynamic of CoQ depletion following intense exercise underlying an increased demand by the organism. Ubiquinol supplementation minimized exercise-induced depletion and enhanced plasma and cellular antioxidant levels but it was not able to improve physical performance indexes or markers of muscular damage.

Periodontitis is a disease, which is associated with chronic inflammation and leads to significant destruction of periodontal tissues. Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) constitute the largest cell population in PDL tissues and a considerable body of evidence has demonstrated an association between oxidative stress and the progression of periodontitis. However, the effects on PDLCs exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the molecular mechanisms by which H2O2 affects periodontitis remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the potential cytotoxic effect of H2O2 and the antioxidative function of vitamin C (Vc) in PDLCs were investigated. The results demonstrated that H2O2 treatment decreased the viability of PDLCs. The decreased PDLC viability was primarily induced by apoptosis, which was evidenced by cleaved caspases-3, caspases-9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Following optimal Vc addition, the proapoptotic effects of H2O2 were partially antagonized. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that H2O2 primarily induced the apoptosis of PDLCs and that these adverse effects were partially rescued following treatment with Vc. These results revealed how H2O2 promotes the progression of periodontitis and provide an improved understanding of the reversal effect of antioxidant treatment. Therefore, optimal Vc administration may provide a potentially effective technique in periodontal therapy.

BACKGROUND:Obesity is well associated as being an interfering factor in metabolic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes by increasing the secretion of proinflammatory markers from adipose tissue. Having healthy effects, vitamin C could work as an anti-inflammatory agent through its antioxidant capacity.

REGISTRATION:

REGISTRATION NUMBER:FPSK_Mac [13]04.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study reported here was to identify the effect of vitamin C on reducing the levels of inflammatory markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:Sixty-four obese patients, who were hypertensive and/or diabetic and had high levels of inflammatory markers, from primary health care centers in Gaza City, Palestine, were enrolled into one of two groups in an open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial. A total of 33 patients were randomized into a control group and 31 patients were randomized into an experimental group. The experimental group was treated with 500 mg vitamin C twice a day.

RESULTS:In the experimental group, vitamin C significantly reduced the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and triglyceride (TG) after 8 weeks of treatment (overall: P<0.001); no changes appeared in total cholesterol (TC). In the control group, there were significant reductions in FBG and TG (P=0.001 and P=0.026, respectively), and no changes in hs-CRP, IL-6, or TC. On comparing the changes in the experimental group with those in the control group at the endpoint, vitamin C was found to have achieved clinical significance in treating effectiveness for reducing hs-CRP, IL-6, and FBG levels (P=0.01, P=0.001, and P<0.001, respectively), but no significant changes in TC or TG were found.

CONCLUSION:Vitamin C (500 mg twice daily) has potential effects in alleviating inflammatory status by reducing hs-CRP, IL-6, and FBG in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Evidence suggests associations between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including hypertension and excessive cortisol levels. Also, vitamin D levels may impact exercise performance. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D intake on cardiovascular risk factors, free urinary cortisol and exercise performance.

METHODS:A randomized placebo-controlled single-blinded parallel trial was conducted in healthy participants (n = 15). They received 2000 IU (50µg) vitamin D3 per day (n = 9) or placebo (lactose) (n = 6) for 14 days. Body composition, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and arterial elasticity (as measured by pulse wave velocity, PWV) were recorded at baseline, day 7 and day 14 of intervention. A total of two 24-hour urine samples were collected to estimate free cortisol and cortisone levels. Exercise performance was assessed at the baseline and day 14 of the intervention using a bike ergometer in which BP and PWV were measured before and after exercise. The distance cycled in 20 minutes and the Borg Scale rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded.

RESULTS:In the intervention arm, at day 14, vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced SBP and DBP from 115.8± 17.1 and 75.4 ± 10.3 at baseline to 106.3 ± 10.9 (p = 0.022) and 68.5 ± 10.1 mmHg (p = 0.012) respectively. Also arterial stiffness was markedly reduced in the vitamin D group (from 7.45 ± 1.55 to 6.11 ± 1.89, p = 0.049). Urinary free cortisol levels and cortisol/cortisone ratio were significantly reduced from 162.65 ± 58.9 nmol/day and 2.22 ± 0.7 to 96.4 ± 37.2 (p = 0.029) and 1.04 ± 0.4 (p = 0.017) respectively. Exercise-induced SBP and DBP were significantly reduced post vitamin D intake from 130.7 ± 12.2 to 116.1 ± 8.1 (p = 0.012) and from 76.2 ± 8.4 to 70.5 ± 7.7 mmHg (p =0.042) respectively. The distance cycled in 20 minutes significantly increased from 4.98 ± 2.65 to 6.51 ± 2.28km (p = 0.020), while the Borg Scale RPE reduced from 5.13 ± 1.36 to 4.25 ± 0.71 RPE (p = 0.021). In the placebo arm, no significant effects on CVD risk factors and exercise performancewere observed.

CONCLUSION:These results suggest that daily vitamin D supplementation may ameliorate CVD risk factors including a decrease in 11β-HSD1 activity, as evidenced by the decrease in the cortisol/cortisone ratio, and improve exercise performance in healthy individuals. However, large scale studies are required to verify our findings.

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether vitamins C and E supplementation lowers oxidative stress marker levels and improves pregnancy rate in women with endometriosis.

METHODS:Thirty-four women with endometriosis received a bar containing vitamins C and E (343 mg and 84 mg, respectively) or placebo for 6 months. Plasma and peritoneal fluid levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) were measured for all women and compared between the 2 groups. Data were analyzed by the t test or 1-way analysis of variance for parametric data and the Mann-Whitney rank sum test or Kruskall-Wallis test for nonparametric data. The Fisher exact test was used to compare pregnancy rates.

RESULTS:After 4 months, the study group had lower levels of MDA and LOOHs than the control group, and the difference became statistically significant in the fourth month for MDA levels and in the sixth month for LOOH levels. The postintervention pregnancy rates were 19% and 12% in the supplementation and placebo groups, respectively, but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS:Vitamins C and E supplementation was associated with a decrease in the concentration of oxidative stress markers in women with endometriosis. The pregnancy rate, however, did not improve during or after the intervention.

BACKGROUND:Oxidative stress promotes endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in chronic renal disease.

OBJECTIVES:This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga on oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis.

DESIGN:This prospective randomized study consisted of 33 ESRD patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group who were matched with 35 ESRD patients in the control group.

OUTCOME MEASURES:The oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde - MDA, protein oxidation - POX, phospholipase A2 - PLA2 activity) and the oxidative status (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities) were determined in the blood samples taken at the pre-hemodialysis treatment, at baseline (0 months) and after four months.

RESULTS:In patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group, lipid peroxidation, as indicated by MDA decreased by 4.0% after four months (P = 0.096). There was also a significant reduction in the activity of PLA from 2.68± 0.02 IU / L to 2.34 IU / L (- 12.7%; P = 0.010) and POX from 2.28 ± 0.02 nmol / mg to 2.22 ± 0.01 nmol / mg (- 22.6%; P = 0.0001). The activity of SOD significantly increased from 12.91 ± 0.17 U / L to 13.54 ± 0.15 U / L (4.65%; P = 0.0001) and catalase from 79.83 ± 0.63 U / L to 80.54 ± 0.80 U / L (0.90%; P = 0.0001). There was a significant correlation between the pre-hemodialysis oxidative stress parameters at the zero month and after four months for the activities of PLA (r = 0.440), catalase (r = 0.872), and SOD (r = 0.775).

CONCLUSIONS:These findings suggest that the Hatha yoga exercise has therapeutic, preventative, and protective effects in ESRD subjects, by decreasing oxidative stress.

PURPOSE:This study tested the effectiveness of a fruit, berry, and vegetable concentrate (FVC), Juice Plus+® (NSA LLC, Collierville, TN), supplement on muscle function and oxidative stress in response to an acute bout of eccentric exercise (EE).

METHODS:Forty-one healthy volunteers (age = 18-35 yr) were randomly assigned to either a placebo (P) or an FVC treatment taking capsules for 28 d (6 d(-1)) before EE and for the next 4 d. All subjects completed four sets of 12 repetitions of eccentric elbow flexion with their nondominant arm. Blood, muscle soreness (MS), range of motion (ROM), and maximal isometric force (MIF) of the elbow flexors were obtained before and immediately after exercise and at 2, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise. Plasma was analyzed for creatine kinase (CK), lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyls (PC). Glutathione ratio was determined from whole-blood extracts.

RESULTS:MS, ROM, MIF, and plasma CK demonstrated significant time effects independent of treatment. MS and plasma CK increased over time, whereas ROM and MIF decreased over time. There was a significant time and time× treatment effect for plasma PC and MDA. PC and MDA increased over time in the P group (P<0.01) but were not significantly altered in the FVC-treated group at any time. No significant changes were noted in lipid hydroperoxides. The glutathione ratio was elevated immediately postexercise in both groups (P<0.01) and elevated 6 h postexercise with P compared with the FVC-treated group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:This study reports that 4 wk of pretreatment with an FVC can attenuate blood oxidative stress markers induced by EE but had no significant impact on the functional changes related to pain and muscle damage.

AIM: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.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: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.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress in humans. 10 male participants, ages 26.8±2.0 years (mean±SE), completed 3 trials in a random order: (1) placebo (control), (2) single (only before exercise) and (3) double (before and immediately after exercise) curcumin supplementation trials. Each participant received oral administration of 90 mg of curcumin or the placebo 2h beforeexercise and immediately after exercise. Each participant walked or ran at 65% of V˙2max on a treadmill for 60min. Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, immediately after exercise and 2h after exercise. The concentrations of serum derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites measured immediately after exercise were significantly higher than pre-exercise values in the placebo trial (308.8±12.9 U. CARR, P<0.05), but not in the single (259.9±17.1 U. CARR) or double (273.6±19.7 U. CARR) curcumin supplementation trials. Serum biological antioxidant potential concentrations measured immediately after exercise were significantly elevated in the single and double curcumin supplementation trials compared with pre-exercise values (P<0.05). These findings indicate that curcumin supplementation can attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress by increasing blood antioxidant capacity.