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Differential response of plasma and immune cell's vitamin E levels to physical activity and antioxidant vitamin supplementation

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages 781–788 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the differential response of plasma, lymphocyte and neutrophil vitamin E levels to high-intensity physical activity and to vitamin C and E supplementation.

Subjects:

In all, 14 male trained amateur runners (32–36 y old) were randomly divided in two groups (supplemented and placebo), and participated in a half marathon race. The subjects did not take any other supplements than the ones provided for this study.

Intervention:

Vitamin C (152 mg/day) and E (50 mg/day) supplementation was administrated to athletes for a month, using a new almond-based isotonic and energetic beverage (supplemented group). The usual dietary habits of participants were assessed using a self-reported 7-day 24-h recall before the day of the study. To avoid the beverage influence, nonenriched vitamin C and E almond-based isotonic and energetic beverage was given to the placebo group. After 1 month, subjects participated in a half marathon race (21 km run). Vitamin E concentration was determined in plasma, neutrophils and lymphocytes before and immediately after the race, and 3 h after finishing the race.

Results:

Daily energy intake and caloric profile of supplemented and placebo group were not different except for vitamin C and E supplementation. Vitamin supplementation and exercise had no effect on vitamins E levels in plasma. The exercise significantly (P<0.05) increased the lymphocyte vitamin E concentration both in the placebo (+119%) and supplemented groups (+128%), and neutrophil vitamin E content in the supplemented group (+88%). These levels remained significantly (P<0.05) high after the short recovery. After exercise, vitamin E levels in lymphocytes and neutrophils of supplemented subjects were practically twice the levels before exercise, whereas neutrophil vitamin E content of the placebo group was close to those in plasma.

Conclusion:

After endurance exercise, lymphocytes increased their vitamin E content in the supplemented and placebo subjects whereas this trend in neutrophils was just observed in the supplemented group. The determination of vitamin E content in lymphocytes and neutrophils after exercise is a useful tool to assess the functional status of vitamin E.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been given a grant by the Spanish Ministry of Health (Programme of Promotion of Biomedical Research and Health Sciences, Project PI021593). The authors are grateful to Productors Balears d'Ametlles i Garroves, AIE, and to Ms Emilia Fuentespina, Ms Maria Riesco, and Ms Dora Romaguera for their technical assistance. Special thanks to Prof Maret G Traber (Linus Pauling Institute, OR, USA) for her suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Laboratory of Physical Activity Sciences, Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    N Cases, A Aguiló, P Tauler, A Sureda, A Pons & J A Tur

  2. Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Service of Clinical Chemistry, Son Dureta Hospital (HSD), Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS), Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    I Llompart

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  1. N Cases
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Correspondence to J A Tur.

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Guarantor: JA Tur.

Contributors: AP and JAT contributed to the study design, data analysis, paper preparation and writing. Data recording was carried out by NC, AA, PT, AS and IL.

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Cases, N., Aguiló, A., Tauler, P. et al. Differential response of plasma and immune cell's vitamin E levels to physical activity and antioxidant vitamin supplementation. Eur J Clin Nutr 59, 781–788 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602143

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602143

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