The effects of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant content in the brains of chronically exercised rats

Coskun Ş., Gonul B., Guzel N. A., Balabanli B.

MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, vol.280, pp.135-138, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 280
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11010-005-8421-y
  • Journal Name: MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.135-138
  • Keywords: antioxidant, brain, chronic exercise training, lipid peroxidation, vitamin C supplementation, CHRONIC ETHANOL INGESTION, LIPID-PEROXIDATION, REGIONS, BLOOD, ASCORBATE, SYSTEM, DAMAGE
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether vitamin C supplementation during chronic exercise training alters rat brain antioxidant content. Female Wistar albino rats were exercised on a treadmill for 30 min/day for 6.5 weeks and were administered daily intraperitoneal injections of vitamin C (20 mg/kg). After the training period, chronically exercised rats showed no significant changes in total brain thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels. In contrast, rats supplemented with vitamin C during the training period showed significantly elevated brain TBARS levels. If such results were extrapolated to man, where vitamin supplementation is a common practice, this would indicate that vitamin C supplementation may not protect brain tissue against exercise-induced oxidative damage, in such circumstances, this water-soluble antioxidant behaves as a pro-oxidant.