Antioxidant status and muscle cell leakage during endurance exercise.

The study investigates the levels of antioxidants and muscle cell leakage in endurance horses during an 80 or 160 km race in order to ascertain the relationship between antioxidant status and muscle health during heavy exercise.

Introduction to the Study

In the research article, the authors initiated an evaluation of the antioxidant status of 35 endurance horses during two types of races: an 80 km race (OD80) and a 160 km race (OD160). The focus of the study was to investigate how intense endurance exercise impacts the biochemistry of the horse’s body. They assessed several bio markers including packed cell volume, total plasma protein, different plasma vitamins, and various other factors related to muscle health and antioxidants.

Methodology

• The concentrations of packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein (TPP), plasma ascorbic acid (VIT C), plasma alpha-tocopherol (VIT E), erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and plasma creatine kinase (CK) were evaluated at several specified points in the races or recovery periods.
• For the OD80 race the measurements were taken at 0, 40, 80 km and after 60 mins of recovery, while for the OD160 race, the measurements were collected at 0, 64, 106, 142, 160 km and during the recovery phase.

Findings

• Interestingly, the researchers found that there were no changes in plasma VIT E concentrations in either of the races.
• However, they noticed decreases in VIT C and GSH concentrations over the course of the races.
• They also noted that the mean GPX, AST, and CK activities had increased from their initial levels at 0 km.
• There were correlations established between indices of muscle cell leakage (marked by plasma AST and CK) and indices of antioxidant status (VIT C, GSH and GPX) within the range of r = 0.36 to 0.67 and P<0.03.

Conclusion

• The associations between increased muscle leakage and decreased antioxidant status may suggest oxidative stress in the horses
• As such, the authors suggest that further testing of antioxidant supplements in endurance horses could potentially improve their performance and overall welfare.