Fig 1.
Grouped data showing the decline in diaphragmatic force (fatigue) from control (n = 13) and stretch (n = 10).
Muscle contractile force was normalized by the maximal force during the baseline of each treatment group prior to stretch. *Significantly different from the force of the first contraction of control (p < 0.05). #Significantly different from the force of the end contraction of control (p < 0.05).
Fig 2.
Grouped data showing the tension development (mN/mg) at baseline (the maximal force prior to tetanic contraction during equilibrium) and 0–5 min during the 5-min contractile period from the muscles at stretch (n = 10) vs. control (optimal length, n = 13).
*Significantly difference from control (p < 0.05).
Fig 3.
Grouped data showing the cyt c reduction rate (nmol•min-1•mg-1 dry wt) during the 5-min contractile period from the muscles of control (optimal length, n = 6), control + SOD (n = 10), stretch (n = 10), and stretch + SOD (n = 5).
*Significant difference from control; #Significant difference from SOD group of the same treatment (p < 0.05). cyt c, cytochrome c.
Fig 4.
WBC count before exercise and immediately (0), 6, 24, and 48 h post-exercise in 1D and 2D.
*Significantly greater than all other time points (p < 0.01); #Significantly greater than PRE and 48 h post-exercise 1D (p < 0.05). 1D, first downhill run; 2D, second downhill run; PRE, before exercise; WBC, white blood cell.
Table 1.
Plasma α-tocopherol concentration (μM) at baseline, PRE 1D and PRE 2D in the supplement (S) and placebo (P) groups.
Fig 5.
Bcl-2 concentration (A) and Log transformed Bax (B) before exercise and immediately (0), 6, 24, and 48 h post-exercise in 1D and 2D. †Significantly lower than PRE following 1D (p < 0.05); ‡Significantly lower than PRE following 1D in P (p < 0.05); *Significantly higher than 48 h post-exercise (p < 0.01). 1D, first downhill run; 2D, second downhill run; S, supplement group; P, placebo group; PRE, before exercise.
Fig 6.
Apoptotic index for lymphocytes (A), neutrophils (B), and leukocytes (C) before exercise and immediately (0), 6, 24, and 48 h post-exercise in 1D and 2D. 2D significantly lower than 1D in (A) and (B) (p < 0.01). 2D supplement group significantly lower than 1D (C) (p <0.01); §6, 24, and 48 h post-exercise were significantly higher than PRE (i.e. baseline) in 1D (p < 0.01); *24 h was significantly greater than 0, 6, and 48 h post-exercise in 1D (p < 0.01); #Significantly higher than PRE in 2D (p < 0.01). ψ 24 h was significantly higher than PRE and 0 h post-exercise (p < 0.01); †0, 6, 24, and 48 h post-exercise in 1D were significantly higher than PRE (p < 0.01). Note, 1D, first downhill run; 2D, second downhill run; PRE, before exercise.