SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN SPORT; L-ERGOTHIONEINE*
Journal Title: Medycyna Sportowa - Year 2009, Vol 25, Issue 6
Abstract
Ergothioneine is an aromatic thiol which is present in human cells, mainly in its reduced form (ESH). Because of intermediate value of the standard reduction potential of the thiol/disulfide system (ESH/ESSE), ergothioneine can participate both in reduction and oxidation reactions, linking the antioxidative pathways of ascorbic acid and glutathione. The main role of ergothioneine is to maintain the optimal level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by reduction of the hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, chelation of copper and iron ions, activation of antioxidant enzymes, or inhibition of hemoglobin and myoglobin autooxidation. Ergothioneine is a reducer of hypochlorous acid and peroxynitrite, and thus protects the cell against the reactions of hydrolysis and nitration. It can also act as a regulator of transcription factors (NFkB and AP-1), S-nitrosothiols and mediators of inflammatory responses. Ergothioneine is not synthesized in human cells, but is introduced by the specific ergothioneine transporter (ETT). The presence of ergothioneine has been confirmed in erythrocytes, liver, spleen, kidneys, skeletal and cardiac muscle, sperm, eye lens, central nervous system. Its content in tissues can be increased through consumption of ergothioneine-rich products as well as dietary supplements containing ergothioneine. Ergothioneine has been used for protection against oxidative damages due to diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, malaria and other pathological conditions. In sports, ergothioneine could be an alternative for other low-molecular antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or tocopherols and it could be used in post-exercise phase in order to decrease the oxidative damages in cells, weaken the inflammatory response to the exercise and accelerate the regeneration of skeletal muscles.
Authors and Affiliations
Agnieszka Zembroń-Łacny, Anna Kasperska, Michał Gajewski
Keywords
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