title: Effects of pomegranate juice in circulating parameters, cytokines, and oxidative stress markers in endurance-based athletes: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of pomegranate juice on the level of oxidative stress in the blood of endurance-based athletes. Pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, conferring it a higher antioxidant capacity than other beverages with polyphenolic antioxidants.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized double-blind, multicenter trial was performed in athletes from three different sport clubs located in southeastern of Spain. Plasma oxidative stress markers (protein carbonyls and malondialdehyde [MDA]) as well as C-reactive protein and sE-selectin were measured. Thirty-one athletes participated in the study. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group was supplemented with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice (PJ; n = 10) over a 21-d period, the second with 200 mL/d pomegranate juice diluted 1:1 with water (PJD; n = 11), and a control group that did not consume pomegranate juice (C; n = 10). Nine athletes were excluded due to protocol violations (n = 4 in the PJ group and n = 5 in the PJD group) because they did not observe the 24 h of rest before the last blood test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The control group increased levels of carbonyls (+0.7 ± 0.3 nmols/mg protein) and MDA (+3.2 ± 1.0 nmols/g protein), whereas the PJ and PJD groups maintained or decreased their levels, respectively. On the other hand, lactate levels increased in the PJ group (from 10.3 at day 0 to 21.2 mg/dL at day 22). A nonsignificant decrease was detected in sE-selectin and C-reactive protein in the groups consuming pomegranate juice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumption of pomegranate juice over a 21-d period improved MDA levels and carbonyls, and thus decreased the oxidative damage caused by exercise.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology Unit, Institute of Bioengineering, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche (Alicante), Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fuster-Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Cell Therapy Unit, Institute of Bioengineering, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche (Alicante), Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.affiliation: Quality and Innovation Department, Vitalgrana Pomegranate SL. Polígono Industrial de Poniente, Catral (Alicante), Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Funes
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Biotechnology Department, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicant), Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez-Peinado
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Biotechnology Department, University of Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicant), Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sempere
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Cell Therapy Unit, Institute of Bioengineering, University Miguel Hernandez, Elche (Alicante), Spain. Electronic address: Nvicente@umh.es.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vicente-Salar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D056352:Athletes; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019040:E-Selectin; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010807:Physical Endurance; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D013030:Spain; D064133:Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D019040:E-Selectin; D059808:Polyphenols; C546936:SELE protein, human; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Antioxidants; Carbonyls; Malondialdehyde; Pomegranate juice; Sport