SALBUTAMOL AND ASCORBIC ACID EFFECT ON PULMONARY PERFORMANCE OF ATHLETES

The relationship between Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) and pulmonary function has been reported to be a protection against pulmonary dysfunction. Sympathomimetics like salbutamol are respiratory smooth muscle relaxants. This research work is aimed at investigating the roles of Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) and salbutamol on the pulmonary function athletes.  People who gave their consent were interviewed through a questionnaire for medical history and those with respiratory or cardiovascular disorders were excluded. A total of 100 subjects were used, 50 for each test group (Ascorbic Acid and Salbutamol). Spirometry and peak flow measurements were done on each subject; Ascorbic Acid was given orally at a dose of 1.50mg/kg body weight and Salbutamol at a dose of 70µg/kg body weight orally, the body mass index (BMI), age, sex were considered. Measurements were taken before and after one hour of administration of drugs. The results show mean PEFR male and female for Ascorbic Acid test group as 535.2±207.79L/Min and 322.76±20.39L/Min respectively. Salbutamol group PEFR male and female as 364.8±23.20L/Min and 325.6±20.45L/Min, respectively. Control groups PEFR male and female as 450.6±51.45L/Min and 290±34.90L/Min for ascorbic acid, 318±16.26L/Min and 275.20±14.77L/Min for Salbutamol respectively. Ascorbic Acid increases PEFR much more than Salbutamol, ERV, IC, VC, and IVC were increased by Ascorbic Acid while Salbutamol decreased ERV, IC, VC, and IVC. The research work supports the performance-enhancing role of Ascorbic Acid, more pronounced in males than females. There do not seem any beneficial roles of Salbutamol in athletes.

PULMONARY PERFORMANCE OF ATHLETES FOLLOWING THE ADMINISTRATION OF ASCORBIC ACID AND SALBUTAMOL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

•  OVERVIEW

Sporting activities are highly competitive due to interests as a result of rewards in – terms of finance and fame which has brought riches to athletes. As a lucrative activity, most athletes are tempted to involve in doping (taking of drugs) to increase or enhance their performances, it’s necessary to note that doping has adverse effect apart from enhancing physical performance. Anderson and Kippelen reviewed mechanisms and therapeutic approaches to Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in athletes; they also found that Vitamin C can also affect EIB. Two studies demonstrate that chronic Salbutamol (Sal) intake at therapeutic doses increases voluntary muscle strength in men, but no published information on endurance performance and eventual hormone and/or metabolism Salbutamol interaction(s) is available for dynamic exercise after systemic administration.

After taking into consideration factors that could affect lung function (such as smoking status), the researchers discovered that people who had better lung function scores after nine years also heed higher Vitamin C intakes. They theorized that the consumption of Vitamin C and foods rich in Vitamin C could protect against lung disease.

It is imperative therefore to carry out researches to investigate the various effects of the use of drugs to maintain sanity in sports and creates an enabling environment for individuals with the natural ability to compete or partake in competitions and deter the notion of no drugs, no better performance.

•     LITERATURE REVIEW

Information that relates to Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and athletes may be commonly found in many publications as researches in this aspect are being carried out time without number all over the world because of the premium attached to sports and health.

Indeed, not much literature concerning Salbutamol and athletes is seen or published especially in this part of our society, Nigeria.

•       VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID)

Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is found in foods such as citrus juices and fruits, tomatoes, barriers, potatoes with skins, green and red peppers, broccoli and spinach. It is recommended that adults consume at least 60miligrams of Vitamin C each day which is about the in an orange (Mckeever TM, Serivener, et al, 2002).

Researchers from the United Kingdom (UK) recently discovered that consuming plenty of Vitamin C might fuel better lung function. They followed the dietary intake and lung function of over 1,300 adults over a nine-year period. The study participants underwent periodic lung function tests, recorded their food intake and reported their smoking habits. After taking into consideration factors that could affect lung function (such as smoking status), the researchers discovered that people who had better lung function scores after nine years also heed higher Vitamin C intakes. They theorized that the consumption of Vitamin C and foods rich in Vitamin C could protect against lung disease.

1974. Schwartz and ST Weiss (1994) assessed the relationship between dietary Vitamin C intake and level of pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in Is, FEV1) in 2526 adults seen as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANESI) between 1971 and 1974.

Multiple – linear – regression analysis was performed with FEV1 as the dependent variable. After age, height, body mass index, race, sex, cigarette smoking, and employment status were controlled for, dietary Vitamin C intake was positively and significantly associated with the level of FEV1. Interaction terms for Vitamin C intake and smoking and respiratory disease were not significant. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that Vitamin C intake has a protective effect on pulmonary (American Journal of Respiratory and Critic Care Medicine, 2002 May 1; 165 (9): 1299 – 303).

Anderson and Kippelen reviewed mechanisms and therapeutic approaches to Exercise-induced broncho – construction (EIB) in athletes; they also found that Vitamin C can also affect EIB. Again, they carried out a systematic review of the effect of Vitamin C supplementation on the common cold, Vitamin C consistently reduced the duration of common cold symptoms, but the effect on common cold incidence was significantly heterogeneous. In general population, Vitamin C supplementations heed no preventive effect; however, the supplements have the incidence of colds in six (6) placebo-controlled trials with participants under heavy acute physical stress: four of the trials were with marathon runners, I was with Canadian soldiers in a northern training exercise, and I was with school children in a skilling camp in the Swiss Alps.

In their trial with marathon runners, Peter et al (2008) recorded the “Self – reported symptoms including a running nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough and fever” during a 2 – week post-race period. The incidence of post-race cough was significantly reduced in the Vitamin C group compared with the placebo group: in contrast, Vitamin C had no significant effect on the incidence of running nose.

Peters did not carry out Virologic or pulmonary function tests before or after the race, and thus the cause of the symptoms is uncertain, few studies have directly measured the effect of Vitamin C supplementation on bronchial responsiveness.

Ogilvy et al reported that Vitamin C reduced the duration and intensity of bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine. Tecklenburg et al (2000) also reported that Vitamin C decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids in the urine. These 3 laboratory studies do not, however, define the clinical importance of Vitamin C for athletes. On the other hand, the 6 trials with participants under heavy acute physical stress, indicate that Vitamin C has clinically important effects on the respiratory symptoms of some athletes, although it is not clear to what degree that effect is directed at their viral infections and the physical injury to their airways (Harri Hemila, 2008). This means that more trials that examine the mechanisms and therapeutic effects of Vitamin C on the symptoms of athletes are warranted. The effects of ascorbic acid on pulmonary function have been investigated (Hu et at,1998; Ibadan and Osubor,1999).

In our environment, ascorbic acid and sympathomimetic are frequently used clinically, and even on self medication. Weber et al (1996) reported that ascorbic acid protects against pulmonary dysfunction. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant (Grievink et al, 1998). Ascorbic acid increases peak expiratory flow rate much more than salbutamol, tidal volume, expiratory reserve volume, Inspiratory reserve volume, Inspiratory capacity, vital capacity are also increased by ascorbic acid while Salbutamol decreases these pulmonary parameters(S.O. Odeh, I.E. Agaba et al,2004).

•   SALBUTAMOL

Salbutamol is a sympathomimetic bronchodilator with relatively selective effects on β₂ receptor by inhalation. The β₂ – adrenoceptor agonist Salbutamol (Sal) is the most commonly prescribed medication for bronchospasm and exercise – induced asthma, a clinical entity that affects about 10 – 20% of the athlete, with an even higher prevalence in cycling and mountain biking.

Since 1985, athletes have been allowed to take a few inhaled β₂ – agonists, including Salbutamol, but systemic administration is currently banned by the International Olympic Committee because of the concern that it may lend an unfair competitive advantage to the users (K. Collomp et al, 2000).

Most of the published studies have not been able to demonstrate increased physical performance after acute β₂ – adrenoceptor agonist inhalation. However, surprisingly little work has been done to determine whether oral. Salbutamol administration, which represent doses about 10 – 20 fold greater, has a beneficial effect on performance. As a matter of fact, two studies demonstrate that chronic Salbutamol (Sal) intake at therapeutic doses increase voluntary muscles strength in men, but no published information on endurance performance and on eventual hormone and / or metabolism Salbutamol interaction(s) is available for dynamic exercise after systemic administration.

(K. Collomp, R. Candau, F. Lasne et al, 2000), Giustina et al found that acute β₂ – receptor stimulation blunts the physiological Growth Hormone (GH) response to maximum exercise. Β – agonists have relaxant effects on respiratory smooth muscles, acting through the calcium cyclic adenosine mono – phosphate (CAMP) mechanism. They also have anti – permeability effects preventing histamine – induced micro – vascular efflux of protein and fluid (Anderson and Johnson, 1979).

Sympathomimetic (example Salbutamol) are being used in the treatment of obstructive pulmonary diseases following the Henry – Person’s discovery of the β – adrenoceptor selectivity (Lands et al, 1997). Pullet et al, (1998) reported that β – agonist broncho – dilators example Salbutamol induce hypoxic Vaso – construction with no significant influence on ventilation.

 INTRODUCTION TO RESPIRATION

A fundamental process of life, characteristic of both plants and animals, in which oxygen is used to oxidized organic fuel molecules, producing a source of energy as well as carbon dioxide and water. It continues throughout life. The permanent stoppage of respiration occurs only at death.

  TYPES OF RESPIRATION

Respiration is classified into two types:

1. External Respiration: This involves exchange of gases between lungs and blood.
2. Internal Respiration: This involves exchange of gases between blood and tissues.

External respiration is facilitated by the following anatomical structures:

1. Nose
2. Naso pharynx
3. Larynx
4. Trachea
5. Bronchii
6. Lungs

• ATHLETES

These are persons who engage themselves in sporting games for the purpose of exercising their body or for a competition. Sporting activities are highly competitive due to interests as a result of rewards in – terms of finance and fame which has brought riches to athletes. As a lucrative activity, most athletes are tempted to involve in doping (taking of drugs) for the purpose of increasing or enhancing their performances, it’s necessary to note that doping has adverse effect apart from enhancing physical performance.