The Effect of Short-term Vitamin E Supplementation on Performance Markers and Lipid Peroxidation at Rest and after Exhaustive Exercises

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short-term vitamin E supplementation on performance markers and lipid peroxidation at rest and after a session of exhaustive exercise. Nineteen healthy males (mean age 21.13+1.2 years, weight 66.94+6.5 Kg, BMI 21.95+2.5 Kg/m2 and VO2max 37.91+4 mm/Kg/min) volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly divided into supplement (n=9) and placebo groups (n=10). Vitamin group took capsules containing 400 IU alpha tocopheryl acetate and placebo group 0.4 gr. amylum for 14 days. Blood samples were gathered in two phases before and after the supplementation, in each phase before and immediately after an exhaustive exercise on cycle ergometer (after 12 to 14 hours of fast). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Data were analyzed by the repeated measure, least significant difference (LSD) and T student at P?0.05 level. Results showed a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake and an insignificant increase in the time span to reach exhaustion, while these variables between the two groups were not significant. Also, one session of exhaustive exercise was associated with a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (MDA) in each group, but when using vitamin E supplementation, MDA decreased significantly at rest and after the exhaustive exercise. According to the findings, probably short-term vitamin E supplementation in addition to a decrease in lipid peroxidation develops the performance markers in this condition.