n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not alter immune and inflammation measures in endurance athletes.
The purpose of this study was to test the influence of 2.4 g/d fish oil n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) over 6 wk on exercise performance, inflammation, and immune measures in 23 trained cyclists before and after a 3-d period of intense exercise. Participants were randomized to n-3 PUFA (n = 11; 2,000 mg eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], 400 mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) or placebo (n = 12) groups. They ingested supplements under double-blind methods for 6 wk before and during a 3-d period in which they cycled for 3 hr/d at ~57% W(max) with 10-km time trials inserted during the final 15 min of each 3-hr bout. Blood and saliva samples were collected before and after the 6-wk supplementation period, immediately after the 3-hr exercise bout on the third day, and 14 hr postexercise and analyzed for various immune-function and inflammation parameters. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA resulted in a significant increase in plasma EPA and DHA but had no effect on 10-km time-trial performance; preexercise outcome measures; 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 wk supplementation with a large daily dose of 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-d period of 9 hr of heavy exertion.
Nieman
David C
DC
Dept. of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA.
Henson
Dru A
DA
McAnulty
Steven R
SR
Jin
Fuxia
F
Maxwell
Kendra R
KR
D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D009195:Peroxidase; D003402:Creatine Kinase