European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Physical exercise may be associated with a 10-20 fold increase in whole body oxygen
uptake. Oxygen flux in the active peripheral skeletal muscle fibers may increase by as such 100 to 200
fold during exercise. Studies during the past 2 decades suggest that during strenuous exercise, generation
of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is elevated to a level that overwhelms tissue antioxidant defense
systems. The result is oxidative stress. The present study aims to investigate the effect of supplementation
of beta carotene, minerals and antioxidants in combination on the endogenous antioxidant system of the
body (viz., glutathione peroxidase GPX, super oxide dismutase SOD and catalase CAT) of hundred
females of 18-21 years age, and comparable height, and weight. Methods: Endurance capacity (min) of
each subject was determined through exercise on a Magnetic Break Bicycle Ergometer at a fixed
workload of 600 kgM/min till exhaustion. GPX, SOD and CAT levels were analyzed at pre and post
exercise levels. The subjects (N=100) were divided into two groups – control group (n=50) receiving
placebo supplementation and the experimental group (VM+Se) receiving supplementation of beta carotene
and antioxidant minerals combinedly in capsular form (n=50) for 15 days. The same experimental
procedure was repeated after supplementation. Results: Results indicate that significant increase in
endurance capacity (P<0.001) and post exercise significant decrease in GPX (P<0.05) and SOD (P<0.001)
and no significant changes in CAT (P>0.05) after beta carotene and antioxidant minerals combinedly
supplementation. Conclusion: Beta carotene and antioxidant minerals seem to be beneficial to control
oxidative stress and enhances endurance capacity.