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Original Communications

Oxidative Stress in Response to Forearm Ischemia-reperfusion with and without Carnitine Administration

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000002

We have recently noted a decrease in lipid peroxidation with oral intake of glycine propionyl-L-carnitine (GPLC). However, these findings were observed at rest, and in previously sedentary subjects. Methods: We determined the effect of GPLC on oxidative stress biomarkers at rest and in response to reactive hyperemia in exercise-trained men. Using a double-blind, crossover design, 15 healthy men were assigned to a placebo and GPLC (4.5 g/day) in random order, for four weeks, with a two-week washout between assignments. Blood samples were collected at rest and at 0, 3, and 10 minutes following a protocol of ischemia-reperfusion, and analyzed for lactate, malondialdehyde (MDA), F2-isoprostanes (F2-iso), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), xanthine oxidase activity (XO), hypoxanthine (HYPO), total (TGSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Results: No condition or condition by time interaction effects were noted (p>0.05). Time effects were noted for lactate (p<0.0001), MDA (p=0.02), H2O2 (p=0.0003), XO (p=0.03), HYPO (p<0.0001), TGSH (p=0.02), and GSSG (p<0.0001), with peak values noted at 0 minutes post for lactate, MDA, TGSH, and GSSG, at 3 minutes post for H2O2 and XO, and at 10 minutes post for HYPO. F2-iso and TEAC were unaffected by treatment or protocol (p>0.05). Conclusion: Short-term ischemia-reperfusion in trained men results in a modest and transient increase in selected blood oxidative stress biomarkers. Oral GPLC supplementation does not attenuate the increase in these biomarkers.