The effect of lipoic acid and physical exercise on superoxide dismutase activity and postmenopausal symptoms

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1592652225105

• Palavras-chave: Post-menopause; Acid lipoic; Physical exercise; Oxidative stress; Antioxidants.

• Keywords: Post-menopause; Acid lipoic; Physical exercise; Oxidative stress; Antioxidants.

• Abstract:

  The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of lipoic acid supplementation and physical exercise on the activity of the enzyme Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and on signs and symptoms of post-menopause. Thirty-three postmenopausal participants were selected to participate in a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The women were distributed among the groups: Control - C (9), Lipoic Acid - AL (13), Physical Exercise - E (5) and Lipoic Acid + Exercise - ALE (6). AL and ALE groups performed daily supplementation with lipoic acid at a dose of 600mg orally. Groups E and ALE performed walks 3 times a week, 1 hour a day. A blood sample was collected before and after the 4-month intervention for hormonal evaluation and Superoxide Dismutase activity. Anthropometry and assessment of climacteric symptoms were performed before the first blood collection and monthly. A 2x2 factorial design was used in this test, where the multiple linear regression model was used (analysis of covariance) or the generalized estimation equations model. No evidence was found on the effect of lipoic acid and exercise on SOD. However, lipoic acid improved sexual symptoms and exercise increased psychological, somatic, anxiety, depression and vasomotor symptoms on the Greene scale. The results deserve further studies to clarify the relationships found.