N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not affect cytokine response to strenuous exercise.
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether fish oil supplementation was able to modulate the acute-phase response to strenuous exercise. Twenty male runners were randomized to receive supplementation (n = 10) with 6.0 g fish oil daily, containing 3.6 g n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), for 6 wk or to receive no supplementation (n = 10) before participating in The Copenhagen Marathon 1998. Blood samples were collected before the race, immediately after, and 1.5 and 3 h postexercise. The fatty acid composition in blood mononuclear cells (BMNC) differed between the fish oil-supplemented and the control group, showing incorporation of n-3 PUFA and less arachidonic acid in BMNC in the supplemented group. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor-beta(1) peaked immediately after the run, the increase being 3-, 92-, and 1.1-fold, respectively, compared with resting samples. The level of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist peaked 1.5 h after exercise, with the increase being 87-fold. However, the cytokine levels did not differ among the two groups. Furthermore, supplementation with fish oil did not influence exercise-induced increases in leucocytes and creatine kinase. In conclusion, 6 wk of fish oil supplementation had no influence on the acute-phase response to strenuous exercise.
Toft
A D
AD
The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Thorn
M
M
Ostrowski
K
K
Asp
S
S
Moller
K
K
Iversen
S
S
Hermann
C
C
Sondergaard
S R
SR
Pedersen
B K
BK
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values
D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3