• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.781-786
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on radical scavenger activity and immune responses in female judo athletes(n=18). The age and sex matched sedentary students were used as controls(n=15). The initial plasma vitamin E concentration, lipid peroxide level and radical scavenger activity (RSA) were not different between two groups. The supplementation of $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate(400IU/d) for 4 weeks significantly increased plasma vitamin E concentration of the subjects in both groups. In addition, the decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS)(p<0.05) and enhancement of RSA(p<0.05) were observed in both groups. Percentages of total T-cells in the athletic group was lower than that in the control group(p<0.05). However, the ratio of CD4 / CD8(helper T-cal $l^pressor T-cell) was higher in the sports group, due to more decrease in CD8 subset than in CD4 subset. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in the sports group were significantly lower than those in the control group(p<0.05). Therefore, severe training of the athletic group seems to be associated with the changes of supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation (400IU/d, 4 weeks) of the female university students improved antioxidative activities of the blood, by decreasing lipid peroxide and enhancing radical scavenger activity. Percentages of T lymphocytes and IgG and IgM concentrations in the athletic group were lower than those in the control group. Meanwhile, vitamin E supplementation had no effects on immune status in both groups.ps.