Lipid Peroxidation in Judoists Using Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

12 female judoists using oral contraceptives (OCU) containing 0.03 mg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone for 20 ± 12 months (mean ± SD) were compared with a control group of 14 judoist noncontraceptive users (NCU) in order to evaluate resting (T1) and postexercise (T2) lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant parameters. Data were collected 20 min before and 10 min after a morning session of judo training and included determination of lag phase (Lp) before free radical-induced oxidation, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), α-tocopherol, retinol, and oxidative stress markers related to LPO. Significantly higher resting oxidative stress (+125.8 and +165.2% for malondialdehyde and lipid peroxides, respectively) and lower values of Lp and GPx (-23.4 and -12.1%, respectively) were observed in the OCU compared with NCU. The judo training session induced an increase in plasma LPO whatever the treatment. We noted significant increases in Lp (+14.7%; p<0.05 vs. preexercise) and GPx (22.1%; p<0.05 vs. preexercise) only in the NCU group. We suggest that a judo training session favourably altered some antioxidants in NCU but not in OCU. As excessive oxidative stress is linked to the development of several chronic diseases, the use of agents to reduce antioxidants may be reasonable in OCU.

Oxidative Stress in Female Athletes Using Combined Oral Contraceptives

“…Our current findings are in line with the only previous study examining oxidative stress (by assessment of malondialdehyde and lipid peroxides) in female athletes taking OC [ 20 ]. This study compared 12 female judoists using OC containing drospirenone and ethinylestradiol with 14 non-OC users, and found that OC users had significantly higher lipid peroxidation and lower antioxidant defense [ 20 ]. However, given the small number of subjects, the study did not perform multivariate analysis.…”

“…The serum effects of OC use in athletes are minimally studied [ 18 ], although some evidence of decreased performance is emerging [ 19 ]. Surprisingly, only one study investigated oxidative stress in sportswomen according to OC use reporting significantly higher resting oxidative stress in 12 female judoist OC users than in 14 non-OC-user judoists [ 20 ]. Moreover, few studies assessed oxidative stress in OC-user women of the general population [ 21 – 25 ].…”

Increase of Oxidative Stress is Positively Associated with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Women Using Combined Oral Contraceptives: An Observational Study

“…The progestin component of combined contraceptive pills may be important in determining side effects of OC use (2,5,19). Recent studies demonstrated that hormonal contraception can modify the redox status in the vasculature of women using combined contraceptive pills containing low doses of ethinyl-estradiol and progestin agents such as drospirenone (20,64) or norethisterone (18).…”

Blood oxidative stress biomarkers in women: influence of oral contraception, exercise, and N-acetylcysteine

“…Although several studies have found that OC use increases oxidative stress at rest, only one study has examined the exercise-induced change in lipid peroxidation in women using OC (Massart et al 2012 ). Massart et al ( 2012 ) found that MDA significantly increased in both OC-users and non-users after a combat (Judo) training session, but the percent magnitude of change (i.e., pre- to post-exercise) was greater in OC non-users.…”

“…Although several studies have found that OC use increases oxidative stress at rest, only one study has examined the exercise-induced change in lipid peroxidation in women using OC (Massart et al 2012 ). Massart et al ( 2012 ) found that MDA significantly increased in both OC-users and non-users after a combat (Judo) training session, but the percent magnitude of change (i.e., pre- to post-exercise) was greater in OC non-users. However, the implications that this has on performance was not investigated (Massart et al 2012 ), and tightly controlled research that accounts for relative work performed is required to clarify the influence of OC-use on exercise-induced oxidative stress.…”