International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-7802112013033111141114ENFood Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranFood Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranFood Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranFood Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranChild Growth and Development Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IranFood Security Research Center, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran20130331<p class="Pa7"><strong>Background: </strong>The need for energy in strenuous exercises necessitates an increase in oxygen consumption and production of reactive oxygen species. It seems that supplementation of vitamins C and E reduces exercise‑induced oxidative stress. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on muscle damage and oxidative stress in female athletes.</p> <p class="Pa7"><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was a four‑week randomized, double‑blind clinical trial, conducted on 64 trained female athletes recruited in the Isfahan sports club. They were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: (a) vitamin C (250 mg/day), (b) vitamin E (400 IU), (c) vitamin C + vitamin E, and the control (placebo). Aspartate transaminase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for assessing muscle damage, and malondialdehyde, were measured before and after the intervention.</p> <p class="Pa7"><strong>Results: </strong>In the between‑groups comparison, only creatine kinase significantly changed at the end of the period (<em>P </em>= 0.03). However, in the intergroup comparison creatine kinase was significantly decreased in group 1 (<em>P </em>= 0.002). As for Aspartate aminotransferase, no significant difference was spotted in any of the comparisons. Lactate dehydrogenase was significantly decreased in group 2 (<em>P </em>= 0.02). Finally, this study revealed a significant decrease in oxidative stress markers in groups 1, 3, and 4 (<em>P </em>&lt; 0.05).</p> <p class="Pa7"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It is induced from the results that vitamin C and E supplementation plays a role in reducing muscle damage markers of aerobic exercises.</p> <strong>Keywords: </strong>Vitamin E, female athlete, oxidative stress, muscle damage, vitamin Chttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/1114http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/1114/842