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Effect of alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on vitamin E concentrations in Greyhounds before and after a race
K C Scott1, R C Hill, D D Lewis
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126, USA.
Objectives:
To determine effect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on serum vitamin E concentrations in Greyhounds before and after a race.
Animals:
8 adult racing Greyhounds.
Procedure:
Dogs were given 2 capsules of alpha-tocopheryl acetate (total, 680 units [0.5 g]) with food that contained < or = 15 mg of vitamin E/kg each morning for 7 days. Dogs were exercised in a 30 X 30-m grass paddock for 15 minutes twice a day and raced for 500 m twice a week. Blood samples were collected before and 5 minutes after a race, before supplementation was begun, and after 7 days of supplementation. Blood and diet samples were analyzed for tocopherols and alpha-tocopheryl acetate.
Results:
Before supplementation, serum alpha-tocopherol concentration after racing (mean +/- SD, 6.7 +/- 2.4 mg/L ) was significantly lower than before racing (12.2 +/- 3.1 mg/L). After supplementation, alpha-tocopherol concentrations were significantly higher overall, although values obtained before (26.6 +/- 5.2 mg/L) and after (29.8 +/- 3.6 mg/L) racing were not significantly different.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Supplementation with alpha-tocopheryl acetate increased serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations and eliminated the decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration that was detected after a race, which may decrease oxidation during exercise and improve performance or recovery.