61 Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences Antropomotoryka. Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences JKES 70 (25): 61-64, 2015 SECTION – FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED KINESIOLOGY Authors’ contribution: A. Study design/planning B. Data collection/entry C. Data analysis/statistics D. Data interpretation E. Preparation of manuscript F. Literature analysis/search G. Funds collection DOI: 10.5604/17310652.1194802 IMPACT OF SYSTEMIC CRYOTHERAPY ON SELECTED ENZYMES, GLUTATHIONE AND SERUM TOTAL PROTEIN LEVELS IN HEALTHY YOUNG MALES Bartłomiej Ptaszek 1 2 ABDEF , Aneta Teległów 3 ABDEF , Jacek Głodzik 3 BD , Jakub Marchewka 4 CE 1 Ph.D. student, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland 2 Malopolska Cryotherapy Centre, Krakow, Poland 3 Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland 4 Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, 5 th Military Hospital, Krakow, Poland Key words: systemic cryotherapy, enzymes, AChE, G-6-PD, GSH Abstract Study aim. Determining the impact of systemic cryotherapy on the levels of AChE (acetylcholinesterases), G-6-PD (glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenases), GSH (glutathione), plasma proteins and occult Hb (occult hemoglobin) in young healthy men. Study group. The study group comprised of the 10 healthy men (untrained) aged 23–24 years (23.4 ± 0.52), who underwent cryotherapy treatments (treatment time 3 min, chamber temperature of –120°C, 10 treatment sessions – 5 times a week). The average body height was 179.2 ± 6.4 cm, weight 79.6 ± 8.8 kg, BMI 23.4 ± 2.6 kg/m 2 . In order to analyze the levels of AChE, G-6-PD, GSH, occult hemoglobin and plasma proteins, venous blood was collected from the study participants three times. The first test (control) took place two months before cryotherapy, the second on the day of beginning treatment and the third test after a series of 10 treatments. Methodology. Measurements were taken using the Helios Beta Z OP Spectro-Lab spectrophotometer, the VisionPro 4.10 Thermo Electron UV-Visible Spectroscopy program. To measure the concentration of AChE [U/gHb] and G-6-PD [U/gHb], the method proposed by Beutler (1986) was used. Plasma hemoglobin concentration [g/100 ml] was determined using the method by Chanazin (1989). The concentration of reduced glutathione GSH [mmol/gHb] was determined on the basis of the method de- veloped by Ellman (1970). The Biuret method was used for the determination of total protein [g/l]. Results. Analyzing the average values of AChE [U/gHb], G-6-PD [mmol/gHb] and occult Hb. [g/dl] before and after the usage of systemic cryotherapy, no statistically significant differences were found. However, an increase in total protein concentration [g/l] and a decrease in GSH concentration [mmol/gHb] were found in the men who underwent cryotherapy in relation to the measure- ment taken two months before starting the treatment. Conclusions. Systemic cryotherapy does not cause any side effects in young, healthy men. Regular usage of cryotherapy treatments may affect the levels of enzyme indicators – total protein (concentration increase) and glutathione (concentration reduction) in the blood. Introduction The impact of thermal factors on the human body has been studied for many years. Cold therapy is widely used in clinical practice and sports. The great interest in cryotherapy (WBC – Whole Body Cryother- apy) causes the number extremely low temperature treatment centers to constantly increase [1, 2, 3]. The body’s response to cold is based on hormonal changes [4, 5], in the cardiovascular system [6], nervous sys- ICID: 1194802 (1.7)