TEMPORAL EVALUATION OF BEETROOT JUICE SUPPLEMENTATION ON REDOX HOMEOSTASIS IN HIGH ALTITUDE EXPOSED INDIVIDUALS

High altitude hypoxia exposure contributes in oxidative stress, leading to cellular damage and disrupting normal cellular function. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation and neuroendocrine changes imposed in individuals upon high altitude exposure. This was a randomized controlled, longitudinal study conducted at an altitude of 3300m in western Himalayas. A total of 92 individual were assessed during the study (control=40, beetroot juice supplemented=52). 200ml of BRJ was supplemented for 15 days after reaching high altitude. Serum, plasma and saliva samples were collected at sea level (SL) and high altitude (before and after commencement of supplementation) for the measurement of biomarkers of oxidative stress, antioxidants, inflammation, and neuroendocrine function. Exposure to high altitude significantly disrupt the redox homeostasis in both groups. A significant increase (p<0.001) in reactive oxygen species (ROS), c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) while a decrease in total antioxidant capacity (p<0.001) was observed in both groups upon high altitude exposure. However, a significant reduction (p<0.05) in MDA, ROS, CRP and IL-6 was evident in BRJ supplemented group compared to the control group at high altitude. A significant improvement in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p<0.05) and antioxidant enzymes (p<0.05) (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) was also measured after beetroot supplementation. These findings suggest that BRJ supplementation has the potential to attenuate the oxidative stress and inflammation induced on high altitude exposure and also improve the antioxidant status.