@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2015;21(2):97-104

Background
… [1-6] Zyzyphus jujuba is one of the plants with antioxidant properties [7, 8] that has high amount of antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols, including tannins and flavonoids [7, 9]. Fruit, leaves and roots of this plant are widely used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases such as gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, liver disorders, obesity, kidney problems, diabetes, fever, anemia, poor sleep and pain relief [6, 10]. Phytochemical studies on different species of Zyzphus jujuba have led to isolation and determination of cyclopeptide alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, tannins and triterpenoid saponins [11].
Previous Studies
Since the intense resistance exercises increase oxidative stress and reduce antioxidant defense systems [12], Zyzphus jujuba fruit with its strong antioxidant properties may inhibit the oxidative stress and strengthen antioxidant systems.
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplement of Zyzphus jujuba on the activities of the enzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) serum after a single session of resistance activity.
Research type
This is a quasi-experimental study with statistical community.
Research society, place and time
Female students of the universities in Birjand (Iran) were studied in 2015.
Sampling method and number
Referring to all the dormitories through a recall, 24 female students aged 20-25years who had no cardio-respiratory and metabolic diseases, no participation in any regular physical activity, no utilization of antioxidant supplements, no history of smoking and no pregnancy were selected purposefully and voluntarily.
Used devices&materials
Volunteers were randomly divided into two groups including Zyzphus jujuba + intensive resistance exercises (n=12) and intensive resistance exercises (n = 12). Two groups were similar in the characteristics such as age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and muscle strength. Antioxidant supplements consumption and dietary of participants and their history of habitual physical activity were assessed and controlled by 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire and Beck questionnaire, respectively [12]. All participants were asked to avoid consumption of dietary and pharmaceutical supplements during the research [12]. Participants were prohibited from any physical activity 48 hours before the start of the period. The duration of program was 3 weeks. The participants of the training group with the jujuba supplement received daily dose consisting of 0.4gr of Zyzphus jujuba fruit per kg of body weight (0.2 g/kg of body weight was consumed in the morning and the same amount in the evening). The training program for the subjects in both groups included a circuit resistance exercise session with 90% of one maximum repetition intensity. Training session included 3 sub-sessions of 5 stations (bench press, leg press, sitting boat, knee extension and flexion of the arm). Time duration of each activity at each station was 30 seconds and the rest time between the stations was 120 seconds. The exercise time was 50 to 55 minutes, including 15 to 20-minute warming-up, 30-minute weight training and 10-minute resting down [13]. All the research dependent variables were measured at the three phases: beginning of the study, 3 weeks after supplementation with the Zyzphus jujuba (immediately before exercise), and after resistance training session. From each person at each sub-session, blood taking (5ml) was done of the brachial vein in 12-hour fasting state. In order to measure GPX and SOD enzyme activity, special kits (Cayman Company; USA) were used and enzymatic colorimetric method was implemented [14]. After confirming normal distribution using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, raw data was analyzed through SPSS 22 software using Repeated Measure ANOVA (two-way). LSD test was used for paired comparisons.
Findings by Text
There was no significant difference between two groups at the beginning of the study in muscle strength, body mass index (BMI), age, height and weight (Table 1). Based on analysis of variance with repeated measures on the GPX index, the effects of different measuring time was significant, but the effect of group was not significant. Regarding SOD index, also, the effects of different time of measuring was significant, but the effect of group was not significant (Table 2). 3-week consumption of the supplement of Zyzphus jujuba, significantly increased the GPX index, but intensive resistance training significantly reduced it. On the other hand, the amount of GPX significantly decreased after a session of intensive resistance exercises only. 3-week consumption of Zyzphus jujuba fruit did not change the amount of SOD significantly, but intensive resistance exercises resulted in a significant decrease in this index. The amount of SOD in the group which only had resistance exercises decreased significantly immediately after the exercises (Table 3).
Main comparison to the similar studies
3-week 0.4 g Zyzyphus jujuba supplementation significantly increased the activity of GPX serum enzyme in females, with no significant effect on SOD activity. Zyzyphus jujuba fruit extract (200mg) can significantly increase the GPX activity [7]. This result is consistent with the present study. Polysaccharide in Zyzyphus jujuba may improve GPX serum activity [9]. Jujuba can increase GPX activity of serum [15]. Polysaccharide in Zyzyphus jujuba can enhance the GPX activity and reduce the accumulation of blood lactic acid after fatigue [16]. Jujube consumption along with exercises can prevent obesity and cardiovascular disease [17]. Consumption 0.4 kg of body weight Zyzyphus jujuba over a 3-week period can enhance body total antioxidant capacity [4]. Zyzyphus jujuba antioxidant property protects red blood cells against oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption [18]. … [19, 20] SOD increase has been shown [7, 9, 15]. This result is not consistent with the present study. One intensive resistance exercise session reduced GPX enzyme activity, while 3-week consumption of Zyzyphus jujuba supplements improved the GPX index. The combination of saffron aqueous extract and aerobic exercises has a decreasing effect on GPX [21]. Exercise on treadmill decreases the GPX activity, and the consumption of vitamin E cannot prevent this decline [22]. Men and women swimmers GPX increases after 9-day exercises and 300mg Q10coenzyme consumption [23]. In male rats, GPX activity in the supplement group (exhaustive activity+ consumption of cinnamon extract) is not affected significantly compared to exhaustive exercise group [24]. The consumption of mastic extract and endurance exercises has no significant effect on the GPX levels [25].The results of this study is not consistence with the results of the present study. … [26, 27] The implementation of an intense resistance exercise session decreased SOD activity and 3-week consumption of Zyzyphus jujuba fruit could not inhibit oxidative stress caused by intense exercises. In mice, decrease of SOD activity has been observed in groups consuming creatine [28]. Acute consumption of complementary and progressive knee isokinetic exercises significantly reduces SOD [29]. These results are in accordance with the present study. Swimming and consumption of caffeine increase SOD activity [30]. The utilization of saffron with vigorous activity increases SOD and reduces CAT [1]. These results are not consistent with the results of the present study. …[31, 32]
Suggestions
To study the effects of different doses of Zyzyphus jujuba fruit, different intensity of resistance exercises and larger sample sizes should be investigated.
Limitations
Relatively small sample size and study groups to test different doses of the Zyzyphus jujuba and different intensities of resistance exercises were the limitations of the present study.
Conclusions
It seems that, through an increase in GPX antioxidant enzyme, 0.4 kg of body weight consumption of jujuba fruits prevents unfavorable changes in the oxidative stress markers after intensive resistance exercises.
Acknowledgments
Islamic Azad University, Birjand Branch, and Gonabad University of Medical Sciences are appreciated.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
Non-declared
Funding Sources
Non-declared

TABLES and CHARTS

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