Erythrocytes transport oxygen to tissues and exercise-induced oxidative stress increases erythrocyte damage and turnover. Increased use of antioxidant supplements may alter protective erythrocyte antioxidant mechanisms during training. Aim of study: To examine the effects of antioxidant supplementation (α-lipoic acid and α-tocopherol) and/or endurance training on the antioxidant defenses of erythrocytes. Methods: Young male Wistar rats were assigned to (1) sedentary; (2) sedentary and antioxidant-supplemented; (3) endurance-trained; or (4) endurance-trained and antioxidant-supplemented groups for 14 weeks. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) activities, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were then measured. Results: Antioxidant supplementation had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on activities of antioxidant enzymes in sedentary animals. Similarly, endurance training alone also had no effect (p > 0.05). GPX (125.9 ± 2.8 vs. 121.5 ± 3.0 U.gHb–1, p < 0.05) and CAT (6.1 ± 0.2 vs. 5.6 ± 0.2 U.mgHb–1, p < 0.05) activities were increased in supplemented trained animals compared to non-supplemented sedentary animals whereas SOD (61.8 ± 4.3 vs. 52.0 ± 5.2 U.mgHb–1, p < 0.05) activity was decreased. Plasma MDA was not different among groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: In a rat model, the combination of exercise training and antioxidant supplementation increased antioxidant enzyme activities (GPX, CAT) compared with each individual intervention.
