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Higher antioxidant defences in plasma and low density lipoproteins from rugby players
Author(s) -
Evelson P.,
Gambino G.,
Travacio M.,
Jaita G.,
Verona J.,
Maroncelli C.,
Wikinski R.,
Llesuy S.,
Brites F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.2002.01057.x
Subject(s) - antioxidant , chemistry , vitamin e , arylesterase , lipoprotein , ascorbic acid , medicine , superoxide dismutase , endocrinology , high density lipoprotein , lipid peroxidation , low density lipoprotein , tocopherol , cholesterol , biochemistry , food science , biology , pon1 , genotype , gene
Background Even if physical activity constitutes a well‐known antiatherogenic factor, the precise mechanisms underlying this protective effect are not completely clear. Materials and methods Lipid and antioxidant profiles were evaluated in 15 well‐trained rugby players and 15 sedentary controls. Lipoprotein fractions were separated by sequential ultracentrifugation and α‐tocopherol content was determined in each fraction by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Susceptibility to in vitro oxidation was also measured in intermediate and low density lipoproteins isolated from both groups of subjects as the production of conjugated dienes. Results Although the sportsmen were not receiving any special diet or vitamin supplementation they showed a slightly improved lipoprotein profile, mainly represented by increased high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels ( P < 0·05), and an enhanced antioxidant status. The latter was evidenced by an increment in total radical antioxidant potential ( P < 0·001), higher ascorbic acid ( P < 0·005) and α‐tocopherol ( P < 0·05) plasma concentrations, and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase ( P < 0·001) and arylesterase ( P < 0·01). Moreover, only the fraction of intermediate and low density lipoproteins from rugby players presented higher α‐tocopherol content in comparison with sedentary controls (484 ± 67 vs. 377 ± 123 µg dL −1 , respectively; P < 0·01). Nevertheless, the susceptibility to in vitro oxidation of this lipoprotein fraction was not different between both groups. Conclusions Given that intermediate density and low density lipoproteins represent the most atherogenic fraction, this finding, in combination with the improved lipid and antioxidant status, would add to the link between regular physical activity and protection against cardiovascular disease.