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In this investigation the investigators utilized NAC supplementation to boost GSH availability during an one-week-microcycle consisting of three soccer games, in order to test the hypotheses that: i) antioxidant supplementation may enhance the recovery of performance and physiological stress variables following multiple match-plays and ii) redox status perturbations are critical in regulating the inflammatory response and repair in skeletal muscle, following repetitive exercise-induced muscle injuries.
After exercise-induced muscle microtrauma the thiol/disulfide couple of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) is a key regulator of important transcriptional pathways that control the inflammatory response and recovery of skeletal muscle.
The objective was to examine how thiol-based antioxidant supplementation affects the muscle damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory and immune responses, as well as the level of post-game fatigue and muscle's recovery kinetics in response to three soccer games within a week. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: i) Experimental-NAC [EXP-NAC, N=10, participated in daily training sessions and three games and received NAC (20 mg/kg/day)], ii) Experimental-Placebo (EXP-Pla, N=10, participated in daily training sessions and three games and received Placebo), iii) Control-NAC [CON-NAC, N=10, participated in daily training sessions only and received NAC(20 mg/kg/day)] and iv) Control-Placebo (CON-Pla, N=10, participated in daily training sessions only and received Placebo). Blood samples were collected at baseline, post-games and daily during recovery. Performance was assessed at baseline and daily during recovery.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXP-NAC | Experimental | Participated in daily training sessions and three games, and supplemented daily with N-acetylcysteine, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening),for seven consecutive days. |
|
| EXP-Pla | Experimental | Participated in daily training sessions and three games, and supplemented daily with Placebo, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days. |
|
| CON-NAC | Active Comparator | Participated in daily training sessions only and supplemented daily with N-acetylcysteine, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening),for seven consecutive days. |
|
| CON-Pla | Active Comparator | Participated in daily training sessions only and supplemented daily with Placebo, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N-acetylcysteine | Dietary Supplement | Orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), at 20 mg/kg/day, for seven consecutive days. |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in total antioxidant capacity in serum | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in protein carbonyls in serum | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in reduced glutathione in red blood cells | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in oxidized glutathione in red blood cells | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in creatine kinase in activity in plasma | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in white blood cell count in blood | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days | |
| Change in repeated sprint ability | Players' repeated sprint ability was assessed via a repeared sprint test. Each player performed 5 x 30 meters sprints interspersed by 25 seconds of active recovery. Sprint time was recorded by using infrared photoelectrical gates. | At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days |
| Change in high intensity running during the game |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in blood lactate concentration during the game | During games 1, 2 and 3 | |
| Change in average heart rate during the game | During games 1, 2 and 3 |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| IOANNIS G FATOUROS, Ph.D. | UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY, SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORTS SCIENCES | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly | Trikala | 42100 | Greece |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000111 | Acetylcysteine |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D003545 | Cysteine |
| D000603 | Amino Acids, Sulfur |
| D013457 | Sulfur Compounds |
| D009930 | Organic Chemicals |
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|
| Placebo | Dietary Supplement | 500 mL drink that contained water (375 mL), sugar-free cordial (125 ml), and 2 g of low-calorie glucose/dextrose powder. Orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days. |
|
High intensity running (i.e. > 14km/h) during the games was monitored by utilizing high time-resolution GPS devices.
| During games 1, 2 and 3 |
| D000596 |
| Amino Acids |
| D000602 | Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins |