ABSTRACT
Background: The present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of L-carnitine and glutamine and their synergistic effects on male soccer athletes
Methods: 28 male soccer players [21.1 +/- 0.7 y] were enrolled in a randomized pre and post intervention, double-blind design. Before the intervention, their performances were assessed by Bruce protocol, and their body composition was measured with the body composition analyzer. Then, athletes were randomly allocated into four groups: 2 g L-glutamine, 2 g L-carnitine, 2 g L-carnitine + 2 g L-glutamine and placebo. Supplements were prescribed for 21 days and after three weeks, athletes' performances and body composition were re-evaluated
Results: The results showed that body weight, body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, and dietary intake made no significant changes in different groups of athletes. In between groups comparison, results did not significantly change in any performance indices. However, in L-carnitine supplement group, the results of pre and post intervention showed that the running distance and maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max] increased significantly while the subjective sense of fatigue decreased significantly
Conclusions: Based on our findings, a three-week prescription of separateor combined glutamine and L-carnitine, had no effects on body composition or dietary intake in soccer players. But, the athletes' energy intake was more than the one reported in other studies. Although further studies are required to assess these effects on athletic performance
ABSTRACT
Abnormal iron homeostasis such as iron deficiency or iron excess is associated with the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease [CVD]. Iron may stimulate the progression of atherosclerosis by increasing the oxidative stress. Changes in carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] have been validated as a vascular indicator of atherosclerosis progression. The purpose of this study was to apply CIMT to investigate the association between iron status and the initial stages of atherosclerosis. 140 healthy premenopausal women aged 18 to 50 years who had no chronic or acute disease were selected randomly from one of the Tabriz university sub specialized clinics. Blood samples were taken to assay iron status parameters. CIMT was measured noninvasively by ultrasonography. Based on CIMT results, the subjects were classified as "healthy" [CIMT 0.8 mm]. Student's t-test was used to determine the mean differences between the two groups. The mean +/- SD age of the participants was 32.76 +/- 8.1 years. The mean iron, ferritin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume [MCV] were significantly higher and the total iron binding capacity [TIBC] was lower [P<0.05] among the "at risk" group. However, there was no significant differences in red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels between the two groups [P>0.05]. Results of this study showed a relative correlation between iron status parameters and CIMT as the initial indicator of CVD. Regarding the contradictions found in the literature, more research is needed to clarify the situation