English

Yahya Polat

doi:10.5897/ajpp11.062

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of eight weeks zinc supplementation on the erythrocyte and leukocyte counts and other hematological parameters in male kick boxers. Twenty-four subjects were included in the study. They were equally divided into three groups as follows: Group EZ, training and receiving 2.5 mg/kg zinc supplement per day; Group SZ, receiving the zinc supplement but no training and Group E, who exercised but received no supplement. Erythrocyte, platelet and leukocyte counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were determined in blood samples taken from each participant at rest and exhaustion. The erythrocyte count of group EZ was significantly higher than in the E and SZ groups, p < 0.001. The number of leukocytes was higher in the two groups that trained. The hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were increased in the EZ group (p < 0.05).The platelet number increased with exhaustion in the E and EZ groups (p < 0.001). The MCV values were lower in Group EZ as compared to the other two groups. The E and EZ subjects had higher neutrophil counts (p < 0.05).These results suggest that the combined effects of exercise and zinc supplementation have a positive effect in the hematological parameters of athletes, which may result in better performance and increased endurance.   Key words: Kick boxers, male athletes, exhaustion, zinc-supplementation, blood parameters.

Highlights

Physical activity has a beneficial effect on the organism
The E and EZ subjects had higher neutrophil counts (p < 0.05).These results suggest that the combined effects of exercise and zinc supplementation have a positive effect in the hematological parameters of athletes, which may result in better performance and increased endurance
The results show that zinc supplementation positively influences the blood parameters of exercising and sedentary subjects

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity has a beneficial effect on the organism. exercise may lead to the production of reactive oxygen species imposing a higher oxidative stress on antioxidant defense mechanisms (Muñoz et al, 2010).There is evidence that zinc and magnesium play key roles in cardio-respiratory functions and zinc takes part in life-supporting biochemical processes (Lukaski, 2000, 2001; Micheletti et al, 2001). Loss of zinc in the body increases during exercise, requiring zinc-supplementation especially in women (Clarkson and Haymes, 1994). Some deterioration of blood viscosity and performance occurs due to zinc deficiency (Khaled et al, 1999). It was proved that zinc-supplementation corrected antioxidant enzymes in red blood cells and hematology in lithium-treated rats (Malhotra and Dhawan, 2008). Changes in hematocrit, red blood cell counts and hemoglobin in relation to hemodilution were reported in marathon runners (Duca et al, 2006). There is a report on the effect of high intensity acute exercise on neutrophil infiltration and accumulation in muscle tissues of trained and untrained rats (Morozov et al, 2006)

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