Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 1993; 14(8): 440-443
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1021207
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Endothelium-Derived Oxidative Stress May Contribute to Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

J. A. R. Duarte1 , H.-J. Appell2 , F. Carvalho3 , M. L. Bastos3 , J. M. C. Soares1
  • 1Department of Sport Biology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
  • 2Institute for Experimental Morphology, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany
  • 3Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Portugal
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

In exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress derived from the liberation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is assumed to be of etiological importance. Xanthine oxidase (XO) located in capillary endothelium is one of the possible sources for ROS, mainly investigated so far under conditions of ischemia/reperfusion. XO can be inhibited by allopurinol. To investigate the contribution of XO for the oxidative stress-induced development of muscle damage, mice were subjected to a single bout of exhaustive running exercise. Another exercised group received allopurinol. The reduced form of glutathione (GSH) was measured to estimate the amount of oxidative stress in soleus muscle, and the same muscle was examined in the light and electron microscope at different periods of time (0, 48, 96 h) after exercise. While exercise alone resulted in a marked reduction of GSH indicative for oxidative stress, which only recovered at 96 h, the administration of allopurinal to exercised animals induced a complete recovery already at 48 h after exercise. Muscle damage was more pronounced in the exercised animals which had not been treated with allopurinol. It is concluded that endothelium-derived ROS contribute reasonably to oxidative stress to exercised muscle and to fiber and capillary damage.

Key words

Exercise - muscle damage - oxidative stress - xanthine oxidase - allopurinol

      >