Lipid peroxidation in judoists using oral contraceptives

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Nutrition
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Oral contraceptives (OCU) are widely used by female athletes.
• Estrogen and progestin in OCU can influence physiological responses to exercise.
• Oxidative stress and antioxidant status are critical factors in athletic performance and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare resting and post-exercise lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant parameters in female judoists using OCU versus noncontraceptive users (NCU).
• To investigate the impact of a judo training session on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant defenses in both groups.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 12 female judoists on OCU and 14 NCU judoists.
• Measurements of resting (T1) and post-exercise (T2) lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, lipid peroxides) and antioxidant parameters (lag phase, glutathione peroxidase, α-tocopherol, retinol).
• Data collected before and after a standardized judo training session.

Main Results:

• OCU group exhibited significantly higher resting oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, lipid peroxides) and lower antioxidant defenses (lag phase, glutathione peroxidase) compared to NCU.
• Judo training increased plasma LPO in both groups.
• Significant improvements in lag phase and glutathione peroxidase were observed post-exercise only in the NCU group.

Conclusions:

• Judo training favorably modulated antioxidant parameters in noncontraceptive users but not in oral contraceptive users.
• Oral contraceptive use may attenuate the beneficial antioxidant adaptations to exercise in female athletes.
• The findings suggest potential implications for managing oxidative stress in female athletes using oral contraceptives.