title: Montmorency cherries reduce the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses to repeated days high-intensity stochastic cycling.
abstract: This investigation examined the impact of Montmorency tart cherry concentrate (MC) on physiological indices of oxidative stress, inflammation and muscle damage across 3 days simulated road cycle racing. Trained cyclists (n = 16) were divided into equal groups and consumed 30 mL of MC or placebo (PLA), twice per day for seven consecutive days. A simulated, high-intensity, stochastic road cycling trial, lasting 109 min, was completed on days 5, 6 and 7. Oxidative stress and inflammation were measured from blood samples collected at baseline and immediately pre- and post-trial on days 5, 6 and 7. Analyses for lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1-β), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and creatine kinase (CK) were conducted. LOOH (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05) and hsCRP (p < 0.05) responses to trials were lower in the MC group versus PLA. No group or interaction effects were found for the other markers. The attenuated oxidative and inflammatory responses suggest MC may be efficacious in combating post-exercise oxidative and inflammatory cascades that can contribute to cellular disruption. Additionally, we demonstrate direct application for MC in repeated days cycling and conceivably other sporting scenario's where back-to-back performances are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. phillip.g.bell@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Phillip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: Health and Exercise Sciences Research Group, School of Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. ian.walshe@stir.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Walshe
authors.affiliation: Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland BT52 1SA, UK. gw.davison@ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Gareth W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. e.stevenson@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK. glyn.howatson@northumbria.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Howatson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001628:Beverages; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein