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Exercise-induced changes in blood levels of alpha-tocopherol
M Hütler1, S Woweries, R Leithäuser
1Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Benjamin Franklin, Free University Berlin, Germany. huetler@zedat.fu-berlin.de
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|August 22, 2001
Summary
Exercise impacts alpha-tocopherol (alphaT) levels in plasma and red blood cells (RBC). Short, intense exercise may consume alphaT, while longer runs suggest alphaT mobilization linked to lipolysis.
Area of Science:
- Exercise physiology
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Human performance
Background:
- Exercise is known to influence nutrient levels, including antioxidants like alpha-tocopherol (alphaT).
- The specific mechanisms by which exercise modulates alphaT in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) are not fully understood.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for optimizing athlete health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different exercise intensities and durations on alphaT levels in RBC and plasma.
- To explore the relationship between alphaT changes and lipolysis, indicated by plasma glycerol concentrations.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of alphaT during exercise.
Main Methods:
- Eleven healthy runners completed three distinct running protocols: an incremental treadmill test, a prolonged training run, and a marathon.
- Blood samples were collected pre- and post-exercise to measure alphaT in RBC (alphaT(RBC)) and plasma (alphaTplasma), along with hematological and lipid parameters.
- Changes in plasma glycerol concentration (delta[glycerol]) were used as an indicator of lipolysis, with adjustments made for hemoconcentration.
Main Results:
- Haemoconcentration was observed across all exercise types.
- Corrected plasma alphaT decreased after the incremental test but increased after the marathon, while remaining unchanged after the training run.
- alphaT(RBC) significantly decreased after the incremental test but showed no significant changes after the training run or marathon.
- Changes in both alphaT(RBC) and alphaTplasma were positively correlated with changes in plasma glycerol.
Conclusions:
- Short-duration, high-intensity exercise appears to lead to alphaT consumption.
- Longer-duration exercise, particularly the marathon, suggests a mobilization of alphaT, potentially linked to increased lipolysis.
- Despite exercise-induced alterations, alphaT regulation during exercise seems robust, resulting in modest and context-dependent changes in blood levels.