The aim of the study was to determine the effects of an antioxidant supplementation, which includes coenzyme Q10, on plasma and neutrophil oxidative stress and the antioxidant response after a soccer match. Nineteen voluntary male pre-professional footballers were randomly and double-blinded treated with either a multivitamin and mineral supplement (n = 8) or a placebo (n = 11). After the 3 months of supplementation, the sportsmen played a friendly soccer match of 60 min. The 3-month supplementation induced higher plasma ascorbate and coenzyme Q levels when compared to the placebo group. Antioxidant supplementation influenced plasma oxidative stress markers because they were lower in the supplemented group than in the placebo one after the match. The football match induced decreased neutrophil vitamin E levels and catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities but increased glutathione reductase activity. Antioxidant diet supplementation prevented plasma oxidative damage but did not influence the neutrophil response to a football match.
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