Dramatic reduction of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in athletes participating in the ultradistance foot race "Spartathlon".

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a long-distance endurance exercise "Spartathlon" on erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G(6)PD) activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 15 male runners, median age 36.5 years. Blood samples were obtained in the 15 min before the race and again within 15 min after the end of the race. Erythrocyte glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and plasma malonyldialdehyde were measured with HPLC methods, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total hyperoxides and G(6)PD activity with commercial kits. Lipids, uric acid and total bilirubin were determined with a clinical chemistry analyser. RESULTS: Total hyperoxides were found statistically reduced, whereas total bilirubin was measured elevated post-race. Interestingly, GSSG levels were found increased (167.3+/-12.0 versus 219.5+/-20.3 micromol/L; p<0.005) as well as GSSG/GSH ratio (16.0+/-1.3 versus 20.60+/-1.65; p<0.05) post-race. In contrast, G(6)PD activity was found remarkably decreased (8.72+/-3.10 versus 3.8+/-2.5 U/g Hb; p<0.0001) pre versus post the event. CONCLUSION: Red blood cell G(6)PD activity in athletes may be reduced post-race as a consequence of the modulation of NADP/NADPH levels and elevation of the erythrocyte GSSG, and especially GSSG/GSH ratio, resulting in an impairment of the hexose monophosphate shunt.

The effect of basketball training on the players' erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase, (Na+,K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the activities of erythrocyte membrane acetylcholinesterase (AChE), (Na (+),K (+))-ATPase and Mg (2+)-ATPase are modulated by a basketball training. Blood was obtained from 10 basketball players pre- and postexercise. Total antioxidant status (TAS), lactate and pyruvate concentrations were determined with kits, while the enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Post-training blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations as well as AChE (2.90 +/- 0.05 vs. 3.98 +/- 0.09 Delta OD/min . mg protein, p < 0.01) and Na (+),K (+)-ATPase (0.58 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.27 +/- 0.12 micromol Pi/h . mg protein, p < 0.001) activities were remarkably increased, whereas TAS was significantly decreased. Mg (2+)-ATPase activity remained unaltered at the end of the training. In conclusion, the stimulation of AChE and Na (+),K (+)-ATPase by the training may be due to the rise of blood catecholamine oxidation contributing to TAS decrease and/or the increase of serotonin levels. This stress condition may modulate cholinergic and catecholaminergic/serotoninergic functions in players.