Abstract

This study was conducted in order to know the impact of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) supplement on the muscle damage and total oxidant (TOS) enzyme levels of young skiing athletes during exercise. 15 male athletes were used for two weeks in the study. The athletes were divided into three groups: the control group and two subject groups taking 100 mg and 200 mg CoQ₁₀. A maximal exercise program with 70-80% overload was applied to the groups for two hours every day for two weeks. Before (B.T.) and after (A.T.) the training, blood samples were taken from athletes in order to determine CoQ₁₀, TOS and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamyl transpeptidase (GG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine kinase (CK) enzyme activities. HPLC kit was used to determine CoQ₁₀ levels and TOS kit was used to determine TOS levels. When the pre-exercise and post-exercise CoQ₁₀ levels were compared, it was seen that CoQ₁₀ values of subject groups increased (p<0,05; p<0,01) while the control group did not show a significant difference. Also, a decrease was seen in TOS values of subject groups (p<0.01), whereas the control group showed an increase  (p<0,01). In addition, significant increases (P<0.01) were obtained in the levels of AST, ALT, LDH and CK of the control group compared to those of the subject groups. Comparing CoQ₁₀ and TOS levels by days during 2 weeks, it was found that TOS levels of control group increased; no change occurred at CoQ₁₀ and; TOS levels of experimental groups decreased and significant increases were found in CoQ₁₀ groups. In conclusion, CoQ₁₀ usage may have impact on lower TOS values and liver, muscle enzyme activities of experimental group compared to control group.

Key words: Training, muscle damage, CoQ₁₀, total oxidant, enzyme activities.