Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Inflammatory enzymes and free radicals are important factors affecting the immune system. However, there seems to be no detailed information about the extent to which these factors can affect superoxide dismutase 1 gene expression in female athletes, especially in incremental exercises. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between superoxide dismutase 1 gene expression with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and free radicals in female athletes after an incremental intensity exercise.

Methods: Fifteen 22-24 year old female athletes from Urmia, Iran voluntarily participated in the study after completing an informed consent form in 2010. Venous blood samples were collected in three stages: prior to, immediately and 3 h after an incremental exercise (12 km/h at a 5% gradient for 20 min). Real-time PCR was used to assess superoxide dismutase1 (SOD-1) gene expression as was an autoanalyzer for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and LDH concentrations.

Results: LDH concentration significantly increased in both stages of the exercise (immediately and 3 h after the exercise), (respectively, P=0.009 and P=0.026), but H2O2 concentration significantly increased only in the recovery phase (P=0.002). SOD-1 mRNA did not significantly increase in any stage of the exercise (P=0.05). Moreover, there was only a significant correlation between SOD-1 mRNA and H2O2 increase (P=0.014).

Conclusion: Incremental exercise increased H2O2 and LDH levels in female athletes but only free radicals had a significant effect on SOD-1 gene expression.

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Background: The aim of this research was to determine the effect of olive oil on interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and cortisol hormone in response to exhaustive exercise in active girls.
Methods: Twenty four healthy girls aged 21-27 years participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to supplement (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. Supplemented group was fed with olive oil for one week. Blood samples were taken in a week before of exercise test, before exercise, immediately and 1 hour after the end of the exercise.
Results: There was a significant increase in the level of cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-α in the supplement and control groups in compared with a week before of exercise test and before exercise test (P≤0.05). There was no significant difference in cortisol levels between the two groups (P≥0.05), but there was a significant difference between the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in immediately and one hour after the end of exercise (P≤0.05). These markers were lower in the supplement group.
Conclusion: Our results show olive oil prevent from increasing inflammatory markers in active girls during exhaustive exercise.