Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: Are Plant-Derived Extracts and Antioxidants Supplementation Really Helpful?

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 8086

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A lack of physical activity is considered an important risk factor for the onset of many pathologies, while regular exercise activities are associated with lower risk of all causes of mortality. Is well known that physical activity induces a whole-body physiological response at the systemic and cellular level; however, an excessive high-level of exercise can elevate stress, thus increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which, if not properly balanced by the endogenous antioxidant system, can compromise the performance of athletes. Although ROS are potentially harmful molecules, they are also fundamental mediators for the progression of several biological processes. For this reason, maintaining the correct balance between oxidizing and antioxidants agents is essential for well-functioning cells and for health-related quality life. Based on anecdotal information or partial literature, professional and amateur athletes tend to abuse many different plant-derived extracts and/or antioxidant nutrients with the purpose to counteract oxidative stress and improve physical performance. Recent human studies have inquired about the real advantage of the assumption of these products in sport practice with different results, considering that, along with some undoubted positive effects, side effects and adverse events of an incorrect use of antioxidants have also been highlighted. This Special Issue “Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: Are Plant-Derived Extracts and Antioxidants Supplementation Really Helpful?” has the final objective to consider recent research about beneficial, neutral or negative effects induced by natural antioxidants supplementation in sports practice. The Special Issue invites submissions of manuscripts, either original research or reviews, with an emphasis on describing the interplay between oxidative stress, physical activity, nutritional strategies and skeletal muscle function. The main focus is on human studies, but work in animal models as well as in vitro studies will also be considered. 

Dr. Duranti Guglielmo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • oxidative stress
  • exercise
  • physical activity
  • skeletal muscle
  • muscle damage
  • antioxidants
  • reactive oxygen species
  • redox balance
  • aging
  • nutrition

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1027 KiB  
Article
Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Protects C2C12 Myotubes against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress
by Roberta Ceci, Mariateresa Maldini, Mark E. Olson, Domenico Crognale, Katy Horner, Ivan Dimauro, Stefania Sabatini and Guglielmo Duranti
Antioxidants 2022, 11(8), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11081435 - 24 Jul 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3110
Abstract
The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense systems leads to macromolecule and tissue damage as a result of cellular oxidative stress. This phenomenon is considered a key factor in fatigue and muscle damage following chronic or high-intensity physical exercise. [...] Read more.
The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense systems leads to macromolecule and tissue damage as a result of cellular oxidative stress. This phenomenon is considered a key factor in fatigue and muscle damage following chronic or high-intensity physical exercise. In the present study, the antioxidant effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) was evaluated in C2C12 myotubes exposed to an elevated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) insult. The capacity of the extract to influence the myotube redox status was evaluated through an analysis of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione homeostasis (GSH and GSSG), total free thiols (TFT), and thioredoxin (Trx) activity, as well as the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and transferase (GST). Moreover, the ability of MOLE to mitigate the stress-induced peroxidation of lipids and oxidative damage (TBARS and protein carbonyls) was also evaluated. Our data demonstrate that MOLE pre-treatment mitigates the highly stressful effects of H2O2 in myotubes (1 mM) by restoring the redox status (TFT, Trx, and GSH/GSSG ratio) and increasing the antioxidant enzymatic system (CAT, SOD, GPx, GST), thereby significantly reducing the TBARs and PrCAR levels. Our study provides evidence that MOLE supplementation has antioxidant potential, allowing myotubes better able to cope with an oxidative insult and, therefore, could represent a useful nutritional strategy for the preservation of muscle well-being. Full article
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Review

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12 pages, 1154 KiB  
Review
Benefits of Exercise and Astaxanthin Supplementation: Are There Additive or Synergistic Effects?
by Leandro Kansuke Oharomari, Mitsushi J. Ikemoto, Dong Joo Hwang, Hikaru Koizumi and Hideaki Soya
Antioxidants 2021, 10(6), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10060870 - 28 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3946
Abstract
A healthy lifestyle is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Health promotion, with a particular emphasis on regular exercise and a healthy diet, is one of the emerging trends in healthcare. However, the way in which exercise training and nutrients from dietary [...] Read more.
A healthy lifestyle is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Health promotion, with a particular emphasis on regular exercise and a healthy diet, is one of the emerging trends in healthcare. However, the way in which exercise training and nutrients from dietary intake interact with each other to promote additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects on physiological functions leading to health promotion, and the possible underlying biomolecular mechanisms of such interactions, remain poorly understood. A healthy diet is characterized by a high intake of various bioactive compounds usually found in natural, organic, and fresh foodstuffs. Among these bioactive compounds, astaxanthin (ASX), a red carotenoid pigment especially found in seafood, has been recognized in the scientific literature as a potential nutraceutical due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurotrophic properties. Therefore, scientists are currently exploring whether this promising nutrient can increase the well-known benefits of exercise on health and disease prevention. Hence, the present review aimed to compile and summarize the current scientific evidence for ASX supplementation in association with exercise regimes, and evaluate the additive or synergistic effects on physiological functions and health when both interventions are combined. The new insights into the combination paradigm of exercise and nutritional supplementation raise awareness of the importance of integrative studies, particularly for future research directions in the field of health and sports nutrition science. Full article
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