title: Exploring effects of a natural combination medicine on exercise-induced inflammatory immune response: A double-blind RCT.
abstract: Traumeel (Tr14) is a natural, combination drug, which has been shown to modulate inflammation at the cytokine level. This study aimed to investigate potential effects of Tr14 on the exercise-induced immune response. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy, untrained male subjects received either Tr14 (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 24 h after a strenuous experimental exercise trial on a bicycle (60 min at 80%VO2 max). A range of antigen-stimulated cytokines (in vitro), white blood cell count, lymphocyte activation and apoptosis markers, and indicators of muscle damage were assessed up to 24 h following exercise. The area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCI ) was compared between both groups. The Tr14 group showed a reduced exercise-induced leukocytosis and neutrocytosis (P < 0.01 for both), a higher AUCI score of antigen-stimulated IL-1β and IL-1α (absolute and per monocyte, all P < 0.05), a lower AUCI score of antigen-stimulated GM-CSF (P < 0.05) and by trend a lower AUCI score of antigen-stimulated IL-2 and IL-4 as well as a higher AUCI score of antigen-stimulated IL-6 (all P < 0.1). Tr14 might promote differentiated effects on the exercise-induced immune response by (a) decreasing the inflammatory response of the innate immune system; and (b) augmenting the pro-inflammatory cytokine response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pilat
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frech
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hillebrecht
authors.affiliation: Medical Statistics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pons-Kühnemann
authors.affiliation: Medical Statistics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheibelhut
authors.affiliation: Medical Statistics, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: R-H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bödeker
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: F-C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Mooren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D019540:Area Under Curve; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006836:Hydro-Lyases / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007964:Leukocytosis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D004768:Enterotoxins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008903:Minerals; D010936:Plant Extracts; C433370:Traumeel S; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D006836:Hydro-Lyases; C045581:lactate dehydratase; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: Cytokines; complementary medicine; muscle damage; sports