α-Tocopherol Protects the Heart, Muscles, and Testes from Lipid Peroxidation in Growing Male Rats Subjected to Physical Efforts

Abstract

The effect of <i>α</i>-tocopherol supplementation on adaptation to training is still equivocal. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of training and <i>α</i>-tocopherol supplementation on <i>α</i>-tocopherol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration in the rat liver, heart, muscles, and testes. Male Wistar rats (<i>n</i> = 32) were divided into four groups (nonsupplemented, not trained-C; nonsupplemented, trained-CT; supplemented, not trained-E; supplemented and trained-ET). During the 14-day experimental period, 2 mg/d of vitamin E as <i>α</i>-tocopherol acetate was administered to the animals (groups E and ET). Rats in the training group (CT and ET) were subjected to 15 minutes of treadmill running each day. The <i>α</i>-tocopherol levels in rat tissues were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lipid peroxides were determined by TBARS spectrophotometric method. <i>α</i>-Tocopherol had a significant impact on <i>α</i>-tocopherol concentration in all tissues. Training increased the <i>α</i>-tocopherol concentration in the heart and muscles but reduced it in the liver. Training also caused increased lipid peroxidation in the muscles, heart, and testes; but a higher <i>α</i>-tocopherol content in tissues reduced the TBARS level. The main finding of the study is that impaired <i>α</i>-tocopherol status and its adequate intake is needed to maintain optimal status to prevent damage to the skeletal and cardiac muscles as well as the testes in growing individuals.