Vitamin E and immunity after the Kona triathlon world championship
Abstract
PURPOSE: To measure the influence of vitamin E ingestion on oxidative stress and immune changes in response to the Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. METHODS: Thirty-eight triathletes received vitamin E (VitE) (800 IU x d(-1) alpha-tocopherol) or placebo (Pla) capsules in randomized, double-blind fashion for 2 months before the race event. Blood, urine, and saliva samples were collected the day before the race, 5-10 min postrace, and 1.5 h postrace. RESULTS: Race times did not differ between VitE (N = 19, 721 +/- 24 min) and Pla groups (N = 17, 719 +/- 27 min, P = 0.959), and both groups maintained an intensity of approximately 80% maximum heart rate during the bike and run portions. Plasma alpha-tocopherol was approximately 75% higher in the VitE versus Pla group prerace (24.1 +/- 1.1 and 13.8 +/- 1.1 micromol x L(-1), P < 0.001, respectively) and postrace. Plasma F2-isoprostanes increased 181% versus 97% postrace in the VitE versus Pla groups (P = 0.044). IL-6 was 89% higher (166 +/- 28 and 88 +/- 13 pg x mL(-1), respectively, P = 0.016), IL-1ra was 107% higher (4848 +/- 1203 and 2341 +/- 790 pg x mL(-1), respectively, P = 0.057), and IL-8 was 41% higher postrace in the VitE versus Pla groups (26.0 +/- 3.6 and 18.4 +/- 2.4 pg x mL(-1), respectively, P = 0.094). CONCLUSION: These data indicate that vitamin E (800 IU x d(-1) for 2 months) compared with placebo ingestion before a competitive triathlon race event promotes lipid peroxidation and inflammation during exercise.
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Supplementation with high doses (800 IU/day) of vitamin E did not counteract oxidative stress in triathletes (n = 38); the intervention group demonstrated significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher levels of post-race inflammation and oxidative stress (Plasma F2-isoprostanes increased 181% versus 97% and IL-6 166 ± 28 pg∙mL-1 versus 88 ± 13 pg∙mL-1) than the control group.
“However, supplementation with high doses (800 IU/day) of vitamin E did not counteract OS in triathletes (n = 38), the intervention group demonstrated significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher levels of post-race inflammation and OS (Plasma F2-isoprostanes increased 181% versus 97% and IL-6 166 ± 28 pg∙mL–1 versus 88 ± 13 pg∙mL–1) than the control group [60].”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [60]
Despite increased markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in the vitamin E intervention group, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of race performance.
“Interestingly, despite increased markers of OS and inflammation in the intervention group, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of race performance.”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [60]
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant due to its abundance within cells, mitochondrial membranes and its ability to act directly on reactive oxygen species.
“Vitamin E is an important antioxidant due to its abundance within cells, mitochondrial membranes and its ability to act directly on reactive oxygen species [60].”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [60]
Vitamin E reacts with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and lipoic acid, which have the capacity to regenerate vitamin E from its oxidised form.
“Vitamin E reacts with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and lipoic acid, which have the capacity to regenerate vitamin E from its oxidised form.”
From Sleep and Nutrition Interactions: Implications for Athletes (2019) · cites this paper as [60]
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References 30 · Cited by 131
- Authors
- NIEMAN, D. C., HENSON, D. A., MCANULTY, S. R., MCANULTY, L. S., MORROW, J. D., AHMED, A., & HEWARD, C. B.
- Affiliations
- Appalachian State University (US)
- Vanderbilt University (US)
- Venue
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
- Published
- 2004-08
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1328-1335
- ISSN
- 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1996230302
- Cited by
- 131
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 8.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Cancer Institute (CA77839, P01CA077839)
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences (GM 15431)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK 48831, R01DK048831)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Keywords
- vitamin E supplementation, triathlon, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, F2-isoprostanes, inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-8, exercise-induced immune response, endurance exercise
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Double-Blind Method, Hawaii, Humans, Immune System, Vitamin E, Exercise, Lymphocyte Subsets, Cytokines, Oxidative Stress
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