Exercise Training and Vitamin C Supplementation Affects Ferritin mRNA in Leukocytes without Affecting Prooxidative/Antioxidative Balance in Elderly Women

Abstract

Physical training and antioxidant supplementation may influence iron metabolism through reduced oxidative stress and subsequent lowering of mRNA levels of genes that are easily induced by this stress, including those responsible for iron homeostasis. Fifteen elderly women participated in our 12-week experiment, involving six weeks of training without supplementation and six weeks of training supported by oral supplementation of 1000 mg of vitamin C daily. The participants were divided into two groups (n = 7 in group 1 and n = 8 in group 2). In group 1, we applied vitamin C supplementation in the first six weeks of training, while in group 2 during the remaining six weeks of training. In both phases, the health-related training occurred three times per week. Training accompanied by vitamin C supplementation did not affect prooxidative/antioxidative balance but significantly decreased ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and ferritin light chain (FTL) mRNA in leukocytes (for FTH mRNA from 2^64.24 to 2^11.06, p = 0.03 in group 1 and from 2^60.54 to 2^16.03, p = 0.01 in group 2, for FTL mRNA from 2^20.22 to 2^4.53, p = 0.01 in group 2). We concluded that vitamin C supplementation might have caused a decrease in gene expression of two important antioxidative genes (FTH, FTL) and had no effect on plasma prooxidative/antioxidative balance.

Effect of six weeks 1000 mg/day Vitamin C supplementation and healthy training in elderly women on genes expression associated with immune response - a randomized controlled trial

“…Recently, we investigated changes in expression of genes associated with iron metabolism, which is also easily induced by oxidative stress in elderly women (part of a wider project on vitamin C supplementation during health training). We concluded that vitamin C supplementation caused a decrease in ferritin mRNA [3]. Indirectly these ndings indicate that vitamin C supplementation decreased intracellular free iron and consequently oxidative intracellular status.…”

“…The protocol used for gene expression evaluation has been previously described in detail by Grzybkowska [26], Żychowska [3]. Brie y, 2 ml of venous blood was collected and to remove red blood cells, the Red Blood Cell Lysis Buffer (RBCL) (A&A Biotechnology, Gdynia, Poland) was added and the samples were then centrifuged.…”

“…For example, Righ et al [6] and Chou et al [7] postulated that vitamin C supplementation attenuates both oxidative stress and in ammation in young males participants or Taekwondo athletes. Some studies have shown that despite an increase in antioxidative capacity following vitamin C supplementation, pro/antioxidative status did not change [3]. No changes in the pro/antioxidative balance was associated with with the possible pro-oxidative effect of vitamin C [3,8].…”

“…Some studies have shown that despite an increase in antioxidative capacity following vitamin C supplementation, pro/antioxidative status did not change [3]. No changes in the pro/antioxidative balance was associated with with the possible pro-oxidative effect of vitamin C [3,8]. A decrease in in ammation could disturb normal adaptations to training.…”

“…cardiovascular, cancer and others) [1,2]. Increase in oxidative stress and in ammation also occurs during physical activity [3] and aging [4]. Thus, it seems to be an easy way to improve exercise tolerance as well as preventive therapy against aging [5].…”