Articles : Effects of 12-week Combined Vitamin E & C Supplementations on VO2max and Anti-Oxidant related Gene expression

Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry 2004;8(2):177-184.

Abstract

This study was to investigate the effect of antioxidant supplements, vitamin C and E on VO2max and anti-oxidant related gene expressions in college handball players. Fourteen subjects were divided into two groups, the antixoidant supplement group (ASG) and the placebo supplement group (PSG). The ASG group had 12 weeks of vitamin C and E supplementations with high intensity training, while the PSG group had placebo tablets with the same training intensity and duration that the ASG group did. The VO,max values after 12 weeks in the ASG and PSG groups were 64.43 ± 1.27 ml/kg/min and 62.14 ± 1.35 ml/kg/min, respectively. The ASG group compared to the PSG group had significantly higher VO₂max (p＜0.01). The RT-PCR analysis data showed that the PSG group compared to the ASG group had significantly higher mRNA. expression levels of the anti-oxidant related genes such as SOD-1, GPx-4, GSSG-R, CAT and GSH-S at sixth week. Taken together, these results suggest that antixoidant supplements such as vitamin C and E may have some beneficial effects to enhance endurance capacity through the up-regulation of the antioxidant system.

Key Words: vitamin C, E, VO2max, anti-oxidant related gene expression