Consumption of blueberry polyphenols reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress compared to vitamin C

McAnulty, Steven R.; McAnulty, Lisa S.; Nieman, David C.; Dumke, Charles L.; Morrow, Jason D.; Utter, Alan C.; Henson, Dru A.; Proulx, William R.; George, Gretchen L.

doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2003.10.003

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Volume 24, Issue 3 , Pages 209-221, March 2004

Consumption of blueberry polyphenols reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress compared to vitamin C

Steven R. McAnulty
- Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: 828-262-7151; Fax: 828-262-3138.
Lisa S. McAnulty
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
David C. Nieman
- Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
Charles L. Dumke
- Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
Jason D. Morrow
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA
Alan C. Utter
- Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
Dru A. Henson
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
William R. Proulx
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA
Gretchen L. George
- Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA

Received 1 March 2003; received in revised form 20 October 2003; accepted 27 October 2003.

Abstract

This study examined whether blueberries or vitamin C consumed for 7 days in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design would attenuate oxidative stress and cytokine changes versus placebo. Nine subjects ran at 70% VO_2max in a hyperthermic environment (35°C, 70% relative humidity [RH]) until a core temperature of 39.5°C was reached, and for an equivalent time and intensity in the two remaining treatments. Blood samples were drawn before exercise and immediately, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes after exercise. Plasma samples were analyzed for F₂-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides, vitamin C, ferric reducing antioxidant potential, urate, interleukin-1ra, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-10. The pattern of change between treatments was significant for lipid hydroperoxides but not for any other marker. Significant correlations were found between F₂-isoprostanes, lipid hydroperoxides, ferric reducing antioxidant potential, and urate. This study indicates that blueberry supplementation may be beneficial for athletes exercising in hot environments.

Keywords: Polyphenols, Antioxidants, Radicals, Hyperthermia, Immune function