Protective Role of Vitamin C Intake on Muscle Damage in Male Adolescents Performing Strenuous Physical Activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Strenuous non-regular exercise increases reactive oxygen species ROS level leading to an impaired balance between the endogenous antioxidant defence system and the free radicals production. Antioxidants intake can detoxify the peroxides produced during exercise, attenuating the inflammatory responses and therefore may prevent exercise-induced muscle damage.AIM:The purpose of this study was to determine the role of vitamin C intake in attenuating markers of muscle damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in male adolescents performing the non-regular strenuous exercise.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Twenty recreationally active male adolescents were assigned to participate in the study. Eligible subjects performed strenuous recreational exercise (2-3 times per week) were randomly divided into two groups: The vitamin C (VC) group that consumed 500 mg of capsulated vitamin C after breakfast for a period of 90 days and the placebo (PL) group that consumed identical capsules in form and aspect that contained 500 mg of maltodextrin for the same period. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed for muscle damage. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was evaluated as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Plasma creatinine, uric acid and urea were determined to monitor kidney function. C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammation was also measured.RESULTS:In comparison between PL and VC groups, the plasma concentrations of muscle damage markers, oxidative stress markers, kidney function and inflammatory markers showed no significant difference in their baseline values (P > 0.05). The plasma concentrations of CK, LDH, MDA, urea, uric acid and CRP were significantly decreased in the VC group (P < 0.05) as compared to their values before the intake of vitamin C.CONCLUSION:The present results support the intake of vitamin C as an antioxidant for attenuating exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in male adolescents performing the strenuous physical activity.

The Intake of Kiwifruits Improve the Potential Antioxidant Capacity in Male Middle- and Long-Distance Runners Routinely Exposed to Oxidative Stress in Japan

“…The additional nutrients (two kiwifruits) in the intake group were energy 96 kcal, vitamin C 261 mg and Vitamin E 2.3 mg per day. It was reported that intake of 500 mg vitamin C inhibits lipid peroxidation [ 7 ]. Muscle damage markers of CK and LDH reduces by inhibiting lipid peroxidation [ 7 ].…”

“…It was reported that intake of 500 mg vitamin C inhibits lipid peroxidation [ 7 ]. Muscle damage markers of CK and LDH reduces by inhibiting lipid peroxidation [ 7 ]. Moreover, it was reported that oxidative activity was not promoted by low dose intake (vitamin A 400 µg, vitamin E 15 mg and vitamin C 30 mg) [ 22 ].…”

“…Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is present in the cytoplasm and extracellularly and removes ROS produced outside the biological membrane. It has been reported that plasma vitamin C levels reflect dietary intake [ 6 ] and vitamin C inhibits lipid peroxidation [ 7 ]. Therefore, the intake of antioxidant substances, such as vitamins C and E, reduces oxidative stress [ 8 ].…”

Recent Progress in Applicability of Exercise Immunology and Inflammation Research to Sports Nutrition

“…For three months, they were also given 500 mg of vitamin C each day. Vitamin C decreased exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, according to the study [68]. Evans and colleagues investigated untrained individuals' muscle force and athletic performance in a research study.…”

Nutritional interventions for reducing the signs and symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage and accelerate recovery in athletes: current knowledge, practical application and future perspectives

“…L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) are two essential micronutrients, with redoxdependent and independent biochemical functionality (Owens et al, 2019). Several studies have investigated the effects on EIMD indices and save few exceptions (Gabrial et al 2018;Righi et al, 2020), the general consensus is that both vitamins show limited ability to positively impact the signs and symptoms of EIMD (Thompson et al 2001;Thompson et al 2004;Shafat et al, 2004;McGinley et al, 2009;Sousa et al, 2014;Candia-Luján et al, 2014;de Oliveira et al 2019;Owens et al 2019). Gabrial et al (2018) examined the role of vitamin C intake in attenuating markers of muscle damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in 20 recreationally active males that were regularly involved (2-3 times per week) in strenuous recreational exercise.…”