Handbook of Vitamin C Research

In: Handbook of Vitamin C Research ISBN 978-1-60741-874-0Editors: Hubert Kucharski and Julek Zajac© 2009 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.Chapter IImpact of Vitamin Con Exercise-Induced OxidativeStress and Tissue InjuryKelsey H. Fisher-Wellman and Richard J. Bloomer +University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USAAbstractThe 6-carbon lactone known as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a principal water solublemicronutrient within biological systems, where it serves as an electron donor for a varietyof physiological processes. Vitamin C is perhaps best known for its role as the primarysmall molecule antioxidant within aqueous environments. Here it assists other enzymaticand nonenzymatic components of the antioxidant defense system in providing protectionagainst free radical-mediated attack, in an effort to minimize oxidative stress. Simplystated, oxidative stress is a condition in which the production of free radicals exceedsantioxidant defenses, potentially leading to oxidative damage to small and largemolecules. Oxidative stress is associated with human disease, as well as the agingprocess. Although multiple stimuli exist, the performance of acute exercise is one suchcondition in which the production of free radicals is exacerbated. This exercise-inducedoxidative stress has commonly been viewed as a detriment to physical performance, as itis believed to interfere with force production capabilities during exercise, as well asaccelerate muscle damage and delay recovery in the days following exercise. For thisreason, coupled with the aforementioned association of oxidative stress with disease,numerous investigators have attempted to elucidate methods aimed at attenuating such astress. One such method that has received considerable attention during the past severalKelsey Fisher-Wellman Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory The University of Memphis 161C Elma NealRoane Fieldhouse Memphis, TN 38152 Phone:901-678-1547 Email: kfshrwll@memphis.edu.+Richard J. Bloomer (Corresponding Author) Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory The University of Memphis161F Elma Neal Roane Fieldhouse Memphis, TN 38152 Phone: 901-678-4341 Fax: 901-678-3591Email: rbloomer@memphis.edu Web: http://memphis.edu/hss/crml