title: Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation improves endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake in endurance-trained athletes.
abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 3-week n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation on serum nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethyloarginine (ADMA), ultrasound indices of endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) of elite cyclists. The effects of dietary supplementation (n-3 PUFA at a dose of 1.3 g twice daily for 3 weeks) and placebo administration on flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), pulse wave velocity, serum markers (NO, ADMA), lipid profile, and ΔVO2max were analysed in 13 cyclists both before and after dietary protocols. Significant differences between pre- and post-intervention baseline NO levels were observed after n-3 PUFA dietary protocol (13.9 ± 4.2 vs. 23.5 ± 3.6 µmol·l(-1); P < 0.001). Higher post-intervention baseline NO level was observed after n-3 PUFA diet compared with placebo (23.5 ± 3.6 vs. 15.3 ± 3.0 µmol·l(-1); P < 0.01, respectively). The n-3 PUFA increased baseline NO concentration (ΔNO) by 6.7 ± 3.8 µmol·l(-1) and placebo by 1.6 ± 4.4 µmol·l(-1). The positive correlation was observed between baseline post-intervention NO concentration and maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.72; P < 0.01) and also between ΔNO and ΔVO2max (r = 0.54; P < 0.05) in response to omega-3 fatty acids supplementation. There was an association between a 5.25% higher FMD (P < 0.05) and higherΔVO2max (P < 0.001) after n-3 PUFA diet compared with lower values of placebo (r = 0.68; P < 0.05). These findings suggest that an increase in NO release in response to n-3 PUFA supplementation may play a central role in cardiovascular adaptive mechanisms and enhanced exercise performance in cyclists.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiological and Medical Sciences , Academy of Physical Education , Katowice , Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Żebrowska
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mizia-Stec
authors.forename: Magda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mizia
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gąsior
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poprzęcki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004727:Endothelium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C018524:N,N-dimethylarginine; D001120:Arginine
keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids; flow-mediated dilatation; nitric oxide; physical exercise