Effect of royal jelly and exogenous ubiquinone-10 on oxidative stress and muscle tissue damage during high-intensity interval training in the preparatory period

Aim. The paper aims to identify the effect of royal jelly and exogenous ubiquinone-10 on biomarkers of oxidative stress and muscle tissue damage during high-intensity interval training in the preparatory period. Materials and methods. The study involved 16 skilled swimmers aged 16 ± 1 years. Their performance was evaluated on Days 1 and 11 of the study by the results of 4 × 50 m swimming test (main swimming style, 45-s rest between sets). Swimmers in Group A received placebo (honey) daily, swimmers in Group B received a combination of royal jelly (RJ) and exogenous ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) suspended in honey. Plasma diene and trienoic conjugates, Schiff base complexes, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity were measured by means of the biochemical test. Results. On Day 11, there was a significant improvement in test values by 5.6% in group B compared with group A. A significant decrease of diene and trienoic conjugates and Schiff base complexes was recorded in athletes of the RJ + Q-10 group compared with Day 1 (10%, 12.5%, 24.8%, respectively) and the placebo group (15.6%, 24.3%, 27.9%). In group B, intragroup values of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity decreased by 33.4% and 40.9%, respectively, while their intergroup values decreased by 31.2% and 49.1%, respectively. Conclusion. The use of RJ + Q-10 during the preparatory period prevents negative changes in skeletal muscle metabolism produced by oxidative stress and increases functional capabilities, namely the performance of maximal exercise.