Dramatic reduction of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in athletes participating in the ultradistance foot race "Spartathlon".

Objective: To investigate the effect of a long-distance endurance exercise "Spartathlon" on erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G(6)PD) activity.

Material And Methods: The study comprised 15 male runners, median age 36.5 years.

alpha-Tocopherol supplementation restores the reduction of erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity induced by forced training.

Background: Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity is closely related to free radical production. alpha-Tocopherol (alpha-T) is implicated with the reduction of lipid peroxidation.

Aim: To investigate the effect of training and alpha-T supplementation on the erythrocyte G6PD activity.

L-cysteine supplementation protects the erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity from reduction induced by forced training.

Background: L-cysteine (L-cys) is implicated in the reduction of free radical production.

Aim: To investigate the effect of training and L-cys supplementation on the erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity.

Methods: Blood was obtained from 10 basketball players pre-game (group A), post-game (group B) and after 1 week on L-cys (0.