title: Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids-rich fish oil supplementation attenuates strength loss and limited joint range of motion after eccentric contractions: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids-rich fish oil (EPA + DHA) supplementation on eccentric contraction-induced muscle damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four healthy men were randomly assigned to consume the EPA + DHA supplement (EPA, n = 12) or placebo (PL, n = 12) by the double-blind method. Participants consumed EPA + DHA or placebo supplement for 8 weeks prior to exercise and continued it until 5 days after exercise. The EPA group consumed EPA + DHA-rich fish oil containing 600 mg EPA and 260 mg DHA per day. Subjects performed five sets of six maximal eccentric elbow flexion exercises. Changes in the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, range of motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, muscle soreness as well as serum creatine kinase, myoglobin, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in blood were assessed before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MVC was significantly higher in the EPA group than in the PL group at 2-5 days after exercise (p < 0.05). ROM was also significantly greater in the EPA group than in the PL group at 1-5 days after exercise (p < 0.05). At only 3 days after exercise, muscle soreness of the brachialis was significantly greater in the PL group than in the EPA group (p < 0.05), with a concomitant increase in serum IL-6 levels in the PL group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eight-week EPA + DHA supplementation attenuates strength loss and limited ROM after exercise. The supplementation also attenuates muscle soreness and elevates cytokine level, but the effect is limited.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Health and Sports Sciences, Meiji Gakuin University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.affiliation: Human Life Science R&D Center, Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yanagimoto
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Health and Sport Science, Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakazato
authors.affiliation: General Health Medical Center, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kohsuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayamizu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan. ochi@hosei.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Eisuke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ochi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D063806:Myalgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015990:Placebo Effect; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000187:drug effects; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: Docosahexaenoic acids; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Lengthening contractions; Muscle dysfunction; Muscle strength; Supplement