Zinc and Copper Biochemical Indices of Antioxidant Status in Elite Athletes of Different Modalities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare zinc and copper biochemical indices of antioxidant status and their relationship in elite athletes of different modalities: aerobic with high-impact (triathletes, n = 10 and long-distance runners, n = 12), anaerobic with high-impact (short-distance runners, n = 9), and anaerobic with low-impact (short-distance swimmers, n = 13). The influence of recent dietary intake and body composition was also evaluated. A venous blood sample was drawn 16-20 hr after competition for the following measurements: packed-cell volume and hemoglobin in blood; copper and zinc in plasma and erythrocytes; ceruloplasmin in plasma; superoxide dismutase activity and metal-lothionein in erythrocytes; and erythrocyte osmotic fragility. Zinc and copper intakes were not different in the athlete groups and did not affect the biochemical indices measured. Athletes of the long-distance high-impact aerobic modalities had higher indices of antioxidant protection (erythrocyte zinc, superoxide dismutase activity, and metallothionein) than those of the short-distance low-impact modalities, suggesting that there is adaptation of the antioxidant capacity to the specific training. Significant correlations were observed in all athletes between erythrocyte zinc, superoxide dismutase activity, and metallothionein consistent with the importance of an adequate zinc status in the response of antioxidant mechanisms to intense exercise.

Effects of exercise on alterations in redox homeostasis in elite male and female endurance athletes using a clinical point-of-care test

“…In fact, we observed no significant differences among short distance events (400m, 800m, 1500m) or among long distance athletes (5k, 10k, marathon, triathlon) for FORT and FORD across any of the time points measured. Although Koury et al (2004) observed no significant differences in antioxidant enzymes between elite short distance and long distance runners, they noted that the triathletes had significantly greater concentrations of superoxide dismutase in red blood cells than did both the other running groups. It is a limitation that we did not have a large enough number of triathletes to examine this further.…”

Associação da concentração plasmática de cobre com metaloproteínas cobre-dependentes em atletas de elite

“…Some authors believe that the magnitude of the copper loss through sweat justifies these alterations, although it does not lead to copper deficiency (14,(20)(21) . The several serum concentrations found by different studies (8,14) may be also partially explained by the chronic physical training which apparently stimulates antioxidant defense mechanisms, triggering the serum copper for cerulloplasmin and Cu-Zn SOD synthesis (22) .…”

“…Nevertheless, it is possible that the increase in cerulloplasmin in response to the interleukins in the physical exercise is also associated with its role as antioxidant (22,26) . The cerulloplasmin concentration in the present study was sensitive to the serum copper concentration.…”

“…The erythrocyte Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase protects these cells from the action of the superoxide ions which are harmful radicals (30) . Since intense physical exercise promotes free radicals, some authors found higher amounts of metalloproteins after physical activity (14,22,31) , while others have not found similar results (30) . The reported discrepancy can be justified by the different essays applied for the determination of the superoxide dismutase activity.…”

“…Moreover, it is a powerful screener of reactive oxygen species (10) . Only two studies determined the erytrocite metallothionein concentration in athletes and concluded that the metallothionein is sensitive to intense and high-impact physical exercise (22) , but not to the post-exercise resting time (32) .…”