Effects of Curcumin on the Oxidative Stress Response to a Dual Stress Challenge in Trained Men

Abstract

Firefighters and military personnel are exposed to a variety of stressors. The combination of mental and physical stress (i.e., dual stress challenges [DSCs]) results in significant oxidative stress (OS), which may contribute to cardiometabolic dysfunction. Curcumin (CUR) is an exogenous antioxidant that may attenuate such OS. Fourteen trained men participated in a randomized, cross-over design to investigate the impact of CUR on markers of OS resulting from DSC. CUR or placebo was ingested three days prior to, and the morning of, testing. The DSC involved 20 min of mental stress challenges during 35 min of cycling at 60% V̇O_{2 peak}. Blood was sampled before, as well as immediately, 30 min, and 60 min after, exercise and analyzed for glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). There was no treatment effect for any variable. However, the DSC resulted in significant reductions in SOD, H₂O₂, and AOPP at 30 and 60 min after exercise. Previous studies have shown that DSC results in significant OS compared to exercise alone. However, these data suggest the DSC was associated with reductions in postexercise markers of OS. Antioxidant therapy is likely not needed in trained men exposed to DSC.

Keywords:

• antioxidants
• cycling
• exercise
• stressor

Acknowledgments

The authors thank NOW Foods for providing the supplement to use in this project. In addition, we thank the graduate and undergraduate students at Mississippi State University who helped with the execution of this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

No external funding was obtained for support of this project. NOW Foods provided the product used for testing. However, financial support was not obtained.

About the authors

Matthew J. McAllister, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Exercise and Sport Sciences division at Texas State University. He currently serves as the Director of the Metabolic and Applied Physiology Laboratory. His research is focused on dietary and exercise interventions in relation to markers of health and performance.

Steven A. Basham, MS received a master's degree in exercise physiology at Mississippi State University, where he worked as a graduate teaching assistant and taught courses in exercise physiology. During his graduate studies, he conducted nutritional and antioxidant supplementation research focusing on optimizing health, exercise performance, and recovery in tactical occupations (e.g. firefighters) and recreational athletes. His research focus remains on improving health, and enhancing recovery after training.

Hunter S. Waldman, MS is a current doctoral student at Mississippi State University. His research interests include dietary and training interventions to enhance performance and health in high-stress occupations.

JohnEric W.Smith, PhD received his BS, MS and PhD in Exercise Science from Auburn University. He spent 9 years as a researcher in the sports nutrition industry prior to taking an academic teaching and research position at Mississippi State University. He also serves as the Director of the Joseph A. Chromiak Laboratories of Applied Physiology focusing research on human performance.

Matthew B. Butawan, BS is a graduate of the University of Memphis where he earned his B.S. in systems biology. He currently serves as a research associate at The University of Memphis.

Richard J.Bloomer, PhD is Dean of the School of Health Studies at the University of Memphis and Director of the Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research. He is an active researcher and has published close to 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters in the areas of dietary supplements, nutrition, exercise, and the interplay between these variables.