Diet Supplementation with Docosahexanoic Acid Influences the Peripheral Mononuclear Cells Inflammatory Response to Intense Exercise
Ann Nutr Metab 2013;62(suppl 2): P026 Antoni Sureda
Regular exercise exerts a protective effect against diseases associated to a chronic inflammation. The aim was to investigate the effects of docosahexanoic acid (DHA) on the inflammatory response to exercise.
Fifteen male football players volunteered to participate in this study. 6 subjects took one liter five times a week of a placebo beverage and 9 an experimental beverage rich in DHA, for 8-week period of during the training season. A blood sample was taken in basal conditions at beginning of the nutritional intervention and another two blood samples were taken at the end of the nutritional intervention, in basal conditions and after a training session. Erythrocyte DHA composition was determined. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) protein levels were determined in peripheral mononuclear cells (PMN cells). An aliquot of PMN cells were activated by addition of LPS and were incubated at 37ºC for 2 hours. Cytokine were determined in supernatants of the culture medium using the Randox Biochip Array technology.
No significant differences were reported between both placebo and supplemented football players characteristics and nutrient intake. DHA levels were increased after 8-weeks of training and supplementation mainly in the supplemented group. The cytokine production by PMN cells after activation with LPS was significantly affected by both exercise and in some cytokines by DHA diet supplementation and these changes was more attenuated in the supplemented group. Acute exercise significantly increased the TLR-4 protein levels in PMN cells and this increase was more pronounced in the placebo group.
Diet supplementation with a functional beverage enriched with DHA influences the PMN cells inflammatory response to intense exercise reducing the TLR-4 protein levels and the cytokine production after LPS stimulation.