Influence of polyunsaturated fatty acid diet on the hemorrheological response to physical exercise in hypoxia

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine Vol. 10; no. 4; p. 286
• Main Authors: Guezennec, C Y, Nadaud, J F, Satabin, P, Leger, F, Lafargue, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.08.1989
• Subjects: Adenosine Diphosphate - blood; Adenosine Monophosphate - blood; Adenosine Triphosphate - blood; Adult; Blood Viscosity; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated - pharmacology; Erythrocyte Deformability - drug effects; Erythrocyte Membrane - analysis; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Exercise; Exercise Test; Fish Oils - administration & dosage; Fish Oils - pharmacology; Humans; Hypoxia - blood; Male
• ISSN: 0172-4622
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1024917

Several studies have shown that hemorrheological parameters are modified by physical exercise and exposure to altitude hypoxia. These changes result in a decrease in red cell deformability (RCD). Similarly, it has been shown that a daily dietary fish oil supplement increases RCD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of fish oil diet on RCD after exercise. Fourteen male subjects (19-38 years old) were divided into two groups. The first group ate a "standard diet" rich in saturated lipids; the second group received a daily amount of 6 g of MaxEPA fish oil for 6 weeks. Before the 6 weeks of experimental nutrition, and just after this period, both groups were submitted to two physical exercises of 1 h cycling at 70% of their VO2max. One test was performed at sea level, the other at a simulated altitude of 3000 m in a hypobaric chamber. Blood samples were drawn before and after exercise and used to evaluate: (1) RCD by filtration on polycarbonate membrane, (2) plasma viscosity, and (3) erythrocyte phospholipid composition. Energy charge of red cell was evaluated by ATP/AMP/ADP and two to three DPB assays. Gas liquid chromatography indicated an increase in n-3 PUFA membrane erythrocyte composition. In the control group, RCD decreased by an average of 53% after exercise under hypoxic conditions and was unchanged after the same exercise at sea level. MaxEPA diet suppresses the decrease in RCD observed after hypoxic exercise. These results indicate a decrease in RCD under the combined effects of exercise and hypoxia, which is prevented by 6 weeks of fish oil supplement.