Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of 2 weeks of betaine supplementation on apoptosis, oxidative stress, and aerobic capacity after exhaustive endurance exercise (EEE). A double-blind, crossover, and counterbalanced design was adopted, with 10 healthy male participants asked to consume betaine (1.25 g of betaine mixed with 300 mL of sports beverage, twice per day for 2 weeks) or placebo (300 mL of sports beverage). All participants performed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine the maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) before supplementation and then performed the EEE test at an intensity of 80% VO2max after 2 weeks of supplementation. The time to exhaustion, peak oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate, and average heart rate were recorded during the EEE test. Venous blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, and 3 h after the EEE test to assess apoptosis and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) decline of lymphocytes as well as the concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and protein carbonyl. The results indicated that lymphocyte apoptosis was significantly higher immediately after and 3 h after EEE than before exercise in participants in the placebo trial. However, lymphocyte apoptosis exhibited no significant differences among the three time points in participants in the betaine trial. Moreover, apoptosis in the betaine trial was significantly lower immediately after and 3 h after exercise compared with the placebo trial. No differences were noted for other variables. Thus, 2 weeks of betaine supplementation can effectively attenuate lymphocyte apoptosis, which is elevated by EEE. However, betaine supplementation exhibited no effects on MTP decline, oxidative stress, or aerobic capacity.
Highlights
In a normal body state, the naturally occurring free radicals in humans have been reported to exert significant positive effects on immune system regulation [1] and to have a significant negative effect, namely peroxidation, on lipids, proteins, and DNA [2,3]
After 2 weeks of supplementation, the plasma betaine concentration was significantly higher for the betaine trial than the placebo trial (6.53 ± 3.71 μg/mL vs. 1.90 ± 0.23 μbtplahoegfhetwt/aeremeniernrLo2iesmt,whopneareoattsihtht0mhede.0iatsffp5rube)he.paereeTpftnmonlhoerceememenraewetennnsaadountsanldattosifototbiifenmnsrMedes2riTtvicrwnPeaaddttedeeiedciegknacystltthieoohnadffeet ptwreisceenpt esrtuddayy scuapnpeleffmecetnivtaeltyionenohfa1n.2c5e gthoef bbeettaaiinnee mcoixnecdenitnra3t0io0nms Linofpslpasomrtas,breavtehreargtehfaonr 2chwoelienkes matetetanbuoaltiesmd .lymphocyte apoptosis immediately after EEE but can’t benefit on mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) decline
This study examined the effects of 2 weeks of betaine supplementation on lymphocyte apoptosis, MTP decline, oxidative stress (TBARS and protein carbonyl (PC)), and aerobic capacity after EEE
Summary
In a normal body state, the naturally occurring free radicals in humans have been reported to exert significant positive effects on immune system regulation [1] and to have a significant negative effect, namely peroxidation, on lipids, proteins, and DNA [2,3]. Exercise has been demonstrated to enhance muscular metabolism, and oxygen uptake, which further enhances the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress [4,5]. Apoptosis is a phenomenon that occurs when free radicals damage human DNA and cause accelerated programmed cell death [6]. Adequate apoptosis is an essential mechanism in the human body [8], but a high percentage of apoptosis can induce alterations in the physiology and viability of circulating leucocytes, which have a causal relationship with exercise-induced immune distress [9]. Nutritional interventions to attenuate inflammation and apoptosis may directly or indirectly benefit muscular recovery and subsequent performance [10]
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