The effects of vitamin E and vitamin C on the fatigability and contractile characteristics of the toad (Bufo marinus) gastrocnemius muscle

• Main Authors: Almirez, Nikki Ciara S., Cabalda, Maria Katrina A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2015
• Subjects: Bufo marinus; Vitamins; Vitamin E; Vitamin C; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6445
• Institution: De La Salle University

Vitamins are used to enhance various activities in the body. These are taken up to increase muscle endurance and develop muscle strength. In line with this, Vitamin E has often been linked with developed glucose tolerance that would give a great influence on the muscle contraction of toads. On the other hand, Vitamin C is often used by exercise practitioners to decrease oxidative stress, which are caused by an increase in muscular contractile activity. Because of this, both vitamin C and E were subjected treatments for the contractility and fatigability of the gastrocnemius muscle of the toad. Four different concentrations per treatments were used. Vitamin C was available in liquid form of Poten-Cee (100mg/5mL), in concentrations of 5g/100mL, 2.5g/100mL, 1.25g/100mL and 0.625g/100mL while vitamin E was in the form of capsule, Myra-E 400IU, in concentrations of 0.25g/10mL, 0.5g/10mL, 1g/10mL and 1.25g/10mL, respectively. Sixteen mature toads are used having four replicates for each treatment concentrations for both vitamin C and E. For each replicate, both legs of the toads were used, one leg for the control, which is the Ringer’s solution and the other leg for the treatment, either vitamin C or E. The PowerLab4st was used to measure the time to fatigue recorded in seconds (s), force mean and maximum contraction recorded in mill volts (mV) of the gastrocnemius muscle of the toad. Gastrocnemius muscle of the toad was dissected and isolated before it was suspended. The muscle was continuously bathed with the reagent to avoid the muscle from drying up when already exposed. Vitamin C and E treatment effects were then observed and analyzed with the power lab. From the gathered results for both vitamin C and E, there was statistically no difference between the means of concentration for p > 0.05. However, an apparent trend was evident for both treatments in all factors. Lower concentrations had more positive results than higher concentrations, implying that there were slight benefits for the gastrocnemius muscle