Uric acid and glutathione levels during short-term whole body cold exposure.
Free Radic Biol Med
; 16(3): 299-305, 1994 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8063192
ABSTRACT
Ten healthy subjects who swim regularly in ice-cold water during the winter (winter swimming), were evaluated before and after this short-term whole body exposure. A drastic decrease in plasma uric acid concentration was observed during and following the exposure to the cold stimulus. We hypothesize that the uric acid decrease can be caused by its consumption after formation of oxygen radicals. In addition, the erythrocytic level of oxidized glutathione and the ratio of oxidized glutathione/total glutathione also increased following cold exposure, which supports this hypothesis. Furthermore, the baseline concentration of reduced glutathione was increased and the concentration of oxidized glutathione was decreased in the erythrocytes of winter swimmers as compared to those of nonwinter swimmers. This can be viewed as an adaptation to repeated oxidative stress, and is postulated as mechanism for body hardening. Hardening is the exposure to a natural, e.g., thermal stimulus, resulting in an increased tolerance to stress, e.g., diseases. Exposure to repeated intensive short-term cold stimuli is often applied in hydrotherapy, which is used in physical medicine for hardening.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Ácido Úrico
/
Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio
/
Temperatura Baixa
/
Glutationa
Limite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Free Radic Biol Med
Assunto da revista:
BIOQUIMICA
/
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
1994
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha