Effects of α-lipoic acid on mtDNA damage after isolated muscle contractions.

INTRODUCTION: Although pharmacological antioxidants have previously been investigated for a prophylactic effect against exercise oxidative stress, it is not known if α-lipoic acid supplementation can protect against DNA damage after high-intensity isolated quadriceps exercise. This randomized controlled investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that 14 d of α-lipoic acid supplementation can attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress. METHODS: Twelve (n = 12) apparently healthy male participants (age = 28 ± 10 yr, stature = 177 ± 12 cm and body mass = 81 ± 15 kg) were randomly assigned to receive either a daily supplement of 1000 mg of α-lipoic acid (2 × 500-mg tablets) for 14 d (n = 6) or receive no supplement (n = 6) in a double-blinded experimental approach. Blood and muscle biopsy tissue samples were taken at rest and after the completion of 100 isolated and continuous maximal knee extension (minimum force = 200 N, speed of contraction = 60° · s(-1)). RESULTS: Exercise increased mitochondrial 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentration in both groups (P < 0.05 vs rest) with a concomitant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05 vs rest). There was a marked increase in blood total antioxidant capacity after oral α-lipoic acid supplementation (P < 0.05 vs nonsupplemented), whereas DNA damage (Comet assay and 8-OHdG), lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide increased after exercise in the nonsupplemented group only (P < 0.05 vs supplemented). Exercise increased protein oxidation in both groups (P < 0.05 vs rest). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that short-term α-lipoic acid supplementation can selectively protect DNA (but not in muscle mitochondria) and lipids against exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Acute and chronic watercress supplementation attenuates exercise-induced peripheral mononuclear cell DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.

Pharmacological antioxidant vitamins have previously been investigated for a prophylactic effect against exercise-induced oxidative stress. However, large doses are often required and may lead to a state of pro-oxidation and oxidative damage. Watercress contains an array of nutritional compounds such as ß-carotene and α-tocopherol which may increase protection against exercise-induced oxidative stress. The present randomised controlled investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that acute (consumption 2 h before exercise) and chronic (8 weeks consumption) watercress supplementation can attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress. A total of ten apparently healthy male subjects (age 23 (SD 4) years, stature 179 (SD 10) cm and body mass 74 (SD 15) kg) were recruited to complete the 8-week chronic watercress intervention period (and then 8 weeks of control, with no ingestion) of the experiment before crossing over in order to compete the single-dose acute phase (with control, no ingestion). Blood samples were taken at baseline (pre-supplementation), at rest (pre-exercise) and following exercise. Each subject completed an incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion following chronic and acute watercress supplementation or control. The main findings show an exercise-induced increase in DNA damage and lipid peroxidation over both acute and chronic control supplementation phases (P< 0.05 v. supplementation), while acute and chronic watercress attenuated DNA damage and lipid peroxidation and decreased H2O2 accumulation following exhaustive exercise (P< 0.05 v. control). A marked increase in the main lipid-soluble antioxidants (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and xanthophyll) was observed following watercress supplementation (P< 0.05 v. control) in both experimental phases. These findings suggest that short- and long-term watercress ingestion has potential antioxidant effects against exercise-induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.