Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C supplementation on the liver enzymes and plasma lipids in footballers and basketball players following three weeks of training and vitamin C supplementation.
Materials and methods: A total of 20 volunteer male sportsmen were included. Blood levels of urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (T.Col), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride before exercise (BE),  were measured and the groups were undertaken a  10-minute exercise. After exercise (AE), their values were measured again and they given 1 g/day vitamin C. Three weeks later their BE and AE parameters were measured.
Results: In footballers, after the vitamin C supplementation elevated AST, ALT, ALP and LDH in AE were found compared with BE (P<0.001), while blood urea dropped (P<0.05). In basketball players, the AE values of the AST, ALT and ALP before and after the supplementation of vitamin C were higher compared to those of BE (P<0.001). After the vitamin C administration, higher urea (P<0.05) and lower LDL (P<0.001) levels of BE and AE were found. In basketball players levels of blood urea and AST were found to be elevated compared to footballers both before and after exercise (P<0.001) while LDH dropped (P<0.05) following vitamin C and HDL-C levels were higher in all sportsmen compared with BE. In basketball players LDL-C and triglyceride levels decreased with vitamin C (p<0.01).
Conclusion: Vitamin C supplementation increased HDL-C levels both in footballers and basketball players. In basketball players, LDL-C, triglyceride and LDH levels decreased by vitamin C administration.