Positive Health Online

Abstract

PETERSEN and colleagues, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Blegsamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark, investigated whether antioxidant vitamin supplementation could modulate cytokine and lymphocyte responses and reduce muscle damage after strenuous eccentric exercise .

Background

Methodology

20 male recreational runners were randomized to receive either antioxidants (500 mg vitamin C and 400 mg vitamin E) or placebo for 14 days before and 7 days after a 5% downhill 90-minute treadmill run at 75% of VO2 max).

Results

Plasma vitamin concentrations measured before and after exercise differed significantly between the supplemented and control groups. However, exercise-induced changes in cytokines, muscle enzymes and lymphocyte subpopulations were identical in the two groups. The plasma level of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist increased 20-30 fold after exercise. Creatine kinase plasma levels were increased six-fold the day after exercise. Concentrations of CD4+ memory T cells, CD+8 memory and naive T cells, and natural killer cells increased at the end of exercise. In the post-exercise period, total lymphocyte counts were below pre-exercise levels.

Conclusion

References

Petersen EW et al. Effect of vitamin supplementation on cytokine response and on muscle damage after strenuous exercise. American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology 280 (6): C1570-5. Jun 2001.