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N‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not alter immune and inflammation measures in endurance athletes
Author(s) -
Henson Dru A.,
Nieman David C.,
McAnulty Steve,
Jin Fuxia,
Maxwell Kendra
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.543.11
Subject(s) - polyunsaturated fatty acid , docosahexaenoic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , saliva , medicine , placebo , inflammation , endocrinology , immune system , fatty acid , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
We tested the influence of 2.4 g/day n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) over 6 weeks on exercise performance, inflammation, and immune measures in 23 trained cyclists before and after a 3‐day period of intensified exercise. Subjects were randomized to n‐3 PUFA (N=11) (2,000 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, 400 mg docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) or placebo (N=12) groups, and ingested supplements under double blinded methods for 6 weeks prior to and during a 3‐d period in which subjects cycled for 3 h/day at ~57% Watts max with 10‐km time trials iduring the final 15 minutes of each 3‐h bout. Blood and saliva were collected before and after the 6‐week supplementation period, immediately following the 3‐h exercise bout on the third day, and 14‐h post‐exercise. Supplementation with n‐3 PUFA significantly increased plasma EPA and DHA, but had no effect on 10‐km time trial performance, pre‐exercise measures, and exercise‐induced increases in plasma cytokines, myeloperoxidase, blood total leukocytes, serum C‐reactive protein, and creatine kinase, or the decrease in the salivary IgA:protein ratio. In conclusion, 6 weeks supplementation with n‐3 PUFAs increased plasma EPA and DHA, but had no effect on exercise performance or in countering measures of inflammation and immunity before or after a 3‐day period of nine hours of heavy exertion. Supported by a grant from Cooper Complete, The Cooper Aerobics Center, Dallas TX