N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not affect cytokine response to strenuous exercise

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 89; no. 6; pp. 2401 - 2406
• Main Authors: Toft, Anders Dyhr, Thorn, Mette, Ostrowski, Kenneth, Asp, Sven, Moller, Kirsten, Iversen, Susanne, Hermann, Claus, Sondergaard, Sisse Rye, Pedersen, Bente Klarlund
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Physiological Soc 01.12.2000; American Physiological Society
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cytokines - metabolism; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fish oils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscular system; Reference Values; Running; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Treadmill exercise; Physical exercise; Human; Cytokine; Polyunsaturated fatty acid; Lipids; Inflammation; Supplemented diet; Fish oil; Feeding; In vivo; Interleukin 1; Supplementation
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.2000.89.6.2401

1  The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, 2  The Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, 3  The Technical University of Denmark, and 4  The August Krogh Institute, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark The aim of the present study was to investigate whether fish oil supplementation was able to modulate the acute-phase response to strenuous exercise. Twenty male runners were randomized to receive supplementation ( n  = 10) with 6.0 g fish oil daily, containing 3.6 g n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), for 6 wk or to receive no supplementation ( n  = 10) before participating in The Copenhagen Marathon 1998. Blood samples were collected before the race, immediately after, and 1.5 and 3 h postexercise. The fatty acid composition in blood mononuclear cells (BMNC) differed between the fish oil-supplemented and the control group, showing incorporation of n-3 PUFA and less arachidonic acid in BMNC in the supplemented group. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor- , interleukin-6, and transforming growth factor- 1 peaked immediately after the run, the increase being 3-, 92-, and 1.1-fold, respectively, compared with resting samples. The level of interlukin-1 receptor antagonist peaked 1.5 h after exercise, with the increase being 87-fold. However, the cytokine levels did not differ among the two groups. Furthermore, supplementation with fish oil did not influence exercise-induced increases in leucocytes and creatine kinase. In conclusion, 6   wk of fish oil supplementation had no influence on the acute-phase response to strenuous exercise. interleukin; sport; muscle