title: Marine bioactives and potential application in sports.
abstract: An enriched diet with antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene and phenolic compounds, has always been suggested to improve oxidative stress, preventing related diseases. In this respect, marine natural product (MNP), such as COX inhibitors, marine steroids, molecules interfering with factors involved in the modulation of gene expression (such as NF-κB), macrolides, many antioxidant agents, thermogenic substances and even substances that could help the immune system and that result in the protection of cartilage, have been recently gaining attention. The marine world represents a reserve of bioactive ingredients, with considerable potential as functional food. Substances, such as chitin, chitosan, n-3 oils, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals and bioactive peptides, can provide several health benefits, such as the reduction of cardiovascular diseases, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activities. In addition, new marine bioactive substances with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and thermogenic capacity may provide health benefits and performance improvement, especially in those who practice physical activity, because of their increased free radical and Reacting Oxygen Species (ROS) production during exercise, and, particularly, in athletes. The aim of this review is to examine the potential pharmacological properties and application of many marine bioactive substances in sports.
authors.affiliation: Human and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Biomedical Science, Via Dei Vestini, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti 66013, Italy. m.alessandra.gammone@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Alessandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gammone
authors.affiliation: Human and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Biomedical Science, Via Dei Vestini, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti 66013, Italy. egemello@libero.it.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gemello
authors.affiliation: Human and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Biomedical Science, Via Dei Vestini, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti 66013, Italy. griccioni@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccioni
authors.affiliation: Human and Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Biomedical Science, Via Dei Vestini, University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti 66013, Italy. ndorazio@unich.it.
authors.forename: Nicolantonio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: D'Orazio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy; D001688:Biological Products / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D017747:Seafood; D013177:Sports
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products