Affiliations: Department of Science of Nutrition – Dietetics,
Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou str. 176 71, Athens,
Greece | Department of Physical Education and Sport Science,
University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Abstract: Inflammation and oxidative stress have been implicated in the
mechanism of eccentric exercise-induced muscle injury. This study examined
whether baseline serum levels of selenium (Se), a trace element that
participates in both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems, affects the
overall response to injury. Thirteen males performed 36 maximal eccentric
actions with the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm on a motorized
dynamometer. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before and after
exercise at 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. Established indicators of muscle damage
such as maximum isometric torque (MIT), range of motion (ROM), relaxed arm
angle (RANG), flexed arm angle (FANG), arm circumference (CIRC), muscle
soreness and serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH) were determined at the same time points. Baseline serum levels of Se were
also measured. Complementary data regarding assessment of Se status were
retrieved by the use of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. All
measures changed significantly (p<0.05) after exercise.
The main finding of this study was that baseline Se serum levels were
associated inversely with CK, LDH and FANG and positively with MIT and ROM
(p<0.05). These data suggest that beyond overt Se
deficiency, suboptimal Se status possibly worsens muscle functional decrements
subsequent to eccentric muscle contractions.
