RED BLOOD CELL AND WHOLE BLOOD GLUTATHIONE REDOX STATUS IN ENDURANCE-TRAINED MEN FOLLOWING A SKI MARATHON

• Main Authors: Eve Unt, Ceslava Kairane, Ivi Vaher, Mihkel Zilmer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Uludag 2008-09-01
• Series: Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
• Subjects: Free radicals; antioxidants; glutathione; vitamin C; exercise
• Online Access: http://www.jssm.org/vol7/n3/5/v7n3-5text.php

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in glutathione redox ratio (GSSG·GSH-1) in red blood cells (RBCs) and whole blood in well-trained men following a ski marathon. 16 male subjects (27.0 ± 4.7 yrs, 1.81 ± 0.06 m, 77.6 ± 9.6 kg, VO2max 66.2 ± 5.7 ml·kg-1·min-1) were examined before the competition (pre- COMP), after the competition (post-COMP) and during an 18-hour recovery period (RECOV). There was a slight decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) in blood and in RBCs in post-COMP. During RECOV, the GSH level in blood was reduced, the GSH level in RBCs was significantly elevated (a statistically significant difference as compared to the pre-COMP level). The post-COMP GSSG·GSH-1 in full blood did not increase significantly, but its increase was statistically significant during the 18-hour recovery period. During the post-COMP and RECOV, the GSSG·GSH-1 in RBCs slightly decreased in comparison with the pre-COMP. Vitamin C concentration in serum increased in post-COMP (49% vs. pre- COMP) and decreased to the baseline level during RECOV. In conclusion, our data show that acute exercise slightly increases the GSSG·GSH-1 in whole blood, while GSSG·GSH-1 in RBCs significantly decreases. Thus, exercise-related changes in the non-enzymatic components of the glutathione system (GSSG and GSH) in whole blood and RBCs are not identical