[ antioxidant role of ginseng supplementation against exhaustive exercise- induced oxidative stress in young athletes]

Background: It has been reported that strenuous acute exercise induces the oxidative stress in active muscles and organism. However, exercise-induced oxidative stress may reduce by supplementation with antioxidants

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the effects of short-term ginseng supplementation on malondialdehyde [MDA] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity in young athletes after exhaustive aerobic exercise

Methods: Twenty young male boxers athletes in semi-experimental study randomly were divided into two placebo and supplement groups. Subjects in supplement group consumed 2gr of ginseng capsules daily for one week, whiles other group received the same amount of placebo [2gr of dextrose]. After seven days of supplementation all subjects of both groups underwent in an exhaustive aerobic exercise test that performed on treadmill. Venous blood samples were collected in four phases; 1] before supplementation 2] immediately before of exercise 3] immediately after and 4] 24 h after exercise

Results: The results of this research indicated that the range change of MDA significantly higher in placebo versus to ginseng group at immediately and 24 hours after aerobic exercise [P=0.001]. Moreover, SOD enzyme activity significantly increase in supplement group compared to the placebo group after exhaustive exercise [P>0.05]

Conclusion: In general it can be said that short-term ginseng supplementation inhabits aerobic exercise- induced oxidative stress by decreasing the levels of MDA and increasing of SOD activity as an antioxidant enzyme in young athletes, and therefore it can be prevent of free radicals damaging effects

[Effect of short-term supplementation of cocoa on platelet factors [Plt, MPV, PDW] of athlete male's blood after an exhaustive aerobic exercise]

Cardiovascular diseases [CVD] are among the most important causes of death and disability all around the world. Blood cells, especially platelets, may play a crucial role in pathophysiology of these disorders. Considering the increased risk of thrombosis after acute physical activities, and the role of the platelets in these disorders, many nutritional approaches had been evaluated for the prevention of thrombosis. Recently, the effects of cocoa consumption on hemostasis have recently attracted the attention of many researchers. In this study we evaluated the effects of cocoa consumption on platelet count, mean platelet volume [MPV], and platelet distribution width [PDW], during one session of incremental exhausting aerobic exercise in male soccer players. This semi-experimental study included 20 healthy volunteer male soccer players [age: 22 +/- 1years; BF%: 22.5 +/- 1.2; VO2max:52.6 +/- 1.5 ml.kg-1.min]. After written consent, all subjects performed Bruce Test within two successive weeks. After the first blood sampling [stage one], 0.5 mg/kg of placebo [0.5 g cocoa powder in 300 ml of 4% sucrose solution] or cocoa solution [18.75 g cocoa powder in 300 ml 4% sucrose solution] was randomly given to the subjects. All cases performed Bruce Test two hours later. Blood samples were collected just before Bruce Test [second stage], immediately after Bruce Test [third stage] and 1 hour after Bruce Test [fourth stage]. After preparation of peripheral blood smears, platelet count, MPV and PDW were measured by Mindray cell counter. Using spss 16, data were analyzed by means of two-factor analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Bonfferoni test at the level 0.01. Our results indicated a significant decrease in platelet count, MPV, and PDW after cocoa consumption [P<0.01]. In addition, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in these values after Bruse Test [P<0.01]. However, in spite of significant increase in platelet count, MPV, and PDW after Bruse Test, cocoa consumption 2 hours before the test decreased these values significantly [P<0.01]. Cocoa consumption before exhaustive physical exercises may prevent exercise induced increase in the platelet indices; hence, potentially can prevent cardiovascular and thrombotic events and sudden death in the athletes

[Effects of combination of long - term ginger consumption and resistance training on lipid peroxidation and insulin resistance in obese men]

Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of long-term ginger consumption and progressive resistance training on lipid per oxidation and insulin resistance in obese men. In a randomized double-blind design, 32 obese men [BMI >/= 30] were assigned in to one of four groups: a Placebo [PL,n=8], Ginger group, that consumed 1 gr ginger/d for 10 wk [GI,n=8], resistance training plus Placebo [PLRT,n=8], and 1gr ginger plus resistance exercise [GIRT, n=8]. Progressive resistance training was performed three days per week for 10 weeks and included 8 exercises. At baseline and after 10 weeks venous blood samples were obtained from the antecubital vein, and Malondialdehyde [MDA] as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, pectrophotometrically were assayed by measurement of TBARS assay. Moreover, insulin resistance was determined using a homeostasis model assessment [HOMA-IR]. Two-way ANOVA were used in the statistical analysis. After 10 weeks of intervention, we observed a significant decrease for MDA concentration in all groups exception Placebo group [P<0.05]. Moreover, significant decreases in the mean values of insulin resistance were observed in CIRT and PLRT groups [P<0.05]. While it remained unchanged in GI and PL groups [p>0.05] Therefore, according to this results it can be said, that, long term ginger consumption and resistance training has been an effective therapeutic devise to favorable changes in lipid peroxidation and insulin resistance in obese men

[Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation and plasma total antioxidant capacity after acute resistance exercise in young male athletes]

Antioxidant supplementation may decrease exercise-induced oxidative stress in athletes. Considering the type of exercise, dose and kind of supplementation the results of the studies in this field are inconsistent. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation and plasma total antioxidant capacity after acute resistance exercise in athletes. In this randomized double blind clinical trial, twenty healthy subjects were divided into two groups; omega-3 [n=10] and placebo [n=10] groups. Each subject in omega-3 group received 3 capsules of omega-3 [3000 mg] per day and placebo group received the same number of placebo capsules per day for a period of 7 day. All subjects of both groups performed high intensity acute resistance exercise. Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein 1 week prior to the exercise, immediately pre-exercise and 24 hours post-exercise for determination of the concentration of malondialdehyde [MDA] and plasma total antioxidant capacity. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA at alpha 0.005]. The results of this study indicated that consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements might prevent any increase in the serum level of malondialdehyde after high intensity resistance exercise. Therefore, it may be useful for prevention of oxidative stress-induced damage in young male athletes