title: Influence of a montmorency cherry juice blend on indices of exercise-induced stress and upper respiratory tract symptoms following marathon running--a pilot investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prolonged exercise, such as marathon running, has been associated with an increase in respiratory mucosal inflammation. The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of Montmorency cherry juice on markers of stress, immunity and inflammation following a Marathon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty recreational Marathon runners consumed either cherry juice (CJ) or placebo (PL) before and after a Marathon race. Markers of mucosal immunity secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), salivary cortisol, inflammation (CRP) and self-reported incidence and severity of upper respiratory tract symptoms (URTS) were measured before and following the race.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All variables except secretory IgA and IgG concentrations in saliva showed a significant time effect (P <0.01). Serum CRP showed a significant interaction and treatment effect (P < 0.01). The CRP increase at 24 and 48 h post-Marathon was lower (P < 0.01) in the CJ group compared to PL group. Mucosal immunity and salivary cortisol showed no interaction effect or treatment effect. The incidence and severity of URTS was significantly greater than baseline at 24 h and 48 h following the race in the PL group and was also greater than the CJ group (P < 0.05). No URTS were reported in the CJ group whereas 50 % of runners in the PL group reported URTS at 24 h and 48 h post-Marathon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study that provides encouraging evidence of the potential role of Montmorency cherries in reducing the development of URTS post-Marathon possibly caused by exercise-induced hyperventilation trauma, and/or other infectious and non-infectious factors.
authors.affiliation: London Sport Institute, Middlesex University, Allianz Park, Greenland Way, NW4 1RLE London, UK.
authors.forename: Lygeri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dimitriou
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University College, Twickenham, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Ipro Interactive Ltd, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jehnali
authors.affiliation: Ipro Interactive Ltd, Oxfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Kingston University, London, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brouner
authors.affiliation: Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY UK.
authors.forename: Malachy P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ; Water Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Glyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Howatson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D015994:Incidence; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D000068220:Prunus avium; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012420:Running; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Exercise-induced inflammation; Muscle damage; Recovery; URTS