MitoQ Supplementation During Vigorous Training Improves Reactive Oxygen Species, Glutathione Peroxidase, and miRNAs Regulating Vascular Inflammation in Cyclists

Abstract

Vigorous training increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from skeletal muscle, which can contribute to impairing athletic performance and health. Mitochondrial antioxidant such as MitoQ may contribute to protecting against training-induced oxidative stress such as mitochondrial ROS, but the effects on athletic performance are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of MitoQ to exercise training (EX) on VO2max, miRNA expression involved in inflammation and oxidative stress. In this double-blind clinical trial, 32 professional cyclists (25.6±3.8yr) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8); 1) Placebo, 2) EX (cycle ergometer, 75% of VO2max, 90 minutes, 3 sessions/week, and 4 weeks), 3) MitoQ (20 mg.day-1 for 4 weeks), and 4) EX+MitoQ (combined EX with MitoQ for 4 weeks). V˙O2max and gene expression of MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-19b, -181b, -155, and -146a and Serum levels of ROS (peroxides, superoxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and alpha oxygen), glutathione peroxidase HIGHLIGHTS • Mitochondrial antioxidant supplementation can reduce oxidative stress and improve miRNAs regulating vascular inflammation.• This finding suggests that short-term mitochondrial antioxidant supplementation can be a principal strategy to enhance endurance performance in athletes.