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Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and salivary IgA changes following an ultramarathon

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Abstract

This randomized study measured the influence of vitamin C (N=15) compared to placebo (N=13) supplementation on oxidative and salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) changes in runners competing in an ultramarathon race. Seven days prior to the race, subjects ingested in randomized, double-blind fashion three 500-mg tablets of vitamin C or placebo each day. On race day, blood and saliva samples were collected 1 h pre-race, after 32 km of running, and then again immediately post-race. During the race, runners received 1 l/h carbohydrate beverages (60 g/l) with vitamin C (150 mg/l) or without in a double-blinded fashion. The runners also ingested two to three carbohydrate gel packs per hour (25 g each). Subjects in both groups ran a mean of 69 km (range 48–80 km) in 9.8 h (range 5–12 h) and maintained an intensity of approximately 75% maximal heart rate (HRmax) throughout the ultramarathon race. Plasma ascorbic acid was higher in the vitamin C compared to placebo group pre-race, and increased significantly in the vitamin C group during the race [post-race, 3.21 (0.29) and 1.28 (0.12) μg/100 μl, respectively, P<0.001]. No significant group or interaction effects were measured for lipid hydroperoxide and F2-isoprostane, but both oxidative measures rose significantly during the ultramarathon race. Saliva volume, sIgA concentration, sIgA secretion and sIgA:saliva protein ratio all decreased significantly (P<0.001) during the race, but the pattern of change in all saliva measures did not differ significantly between groups. No significant correlations were found between post-race plasma vitamin C, oxidative, and saliva measures, except for a positive correlation between post-race serum cortisol and serum vitamin C (r=0.50, P=0.006). These data indicate that vitamin C supplementation in carbohydrate-fed runners does not serve as a countermeasure to oxidative and sIgA changes during or following a competitive ultramarathon race.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from Gatorade Sports Science Institute and by NIH grants GM 15431, CA 77839, DK 48831, and DK 26657. J.D. Morrow is the recipient of a Burroughs Wellcome Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research.

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  1. Departments of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science; Biology; Family and Consumer Sciences, Appalachian State University, PO Box 32071, Boone, NC , 28608, USA

    Franziska M. Palmer, David C. Nieman, Dru A. Henson, Stephen R. McAnulty, Lis McAnulty, Nathaniel S. Swick, Alan C. Utter & Debra M. Vinci

  2. Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA

    Jason D. Morrow

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  1. Franziska M. Palmer
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  2. David C. Nieman
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Correspondence to David C. Nieman.

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Palmer, F.M., Nieman, D.C., Henson, D.A. et al. Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and salivary IgA changes following an ultramarathon. Eur J Appl Physiol 89, 100–107 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-002-0756-4

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