Effects of the fish-oil supplementation on the immune and inflammatory responses in elite swimmers

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 2007-10, Vol.77 (3), p.139-145
• Main Authors: Andrade, Priscila M.M, Ribeiro, Beatriz G, Bozza, Marcelo T, Costa Rosa, Luiz Fernando B, do Carmo, Maria G. Tavares
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Advanced Basic Science; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - pharmacology; Fish Oils - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Insulin - blood; Interferon-gamma - blood; Interleukin-2 - blood; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Male; Swimming - physiology; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2007.08.010

Abstract The effect of fish-oil supplementation (FO-S) on the immune responses of elite swimmers was investigated. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, swimmers received either fish-oil capsules ( n =10) containing long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) of n-3 (LCPUFA n-3) or placebo capsules ( n =10), both for 6 weeks. Plasma FA, immunological markers, insulin and cortisol were evaluated. The FO-S resulted in an increase in LCPUFA n-3 and a decrease in arachidonic n-6 FA in plasma and a reduction in the production of interferon- γ by cultured cells. A reduction in the production of tumor necrosis factor- α was observed in both groups. An increase in interleukin-2 production and no significant difference in interleukin-4 were also observed. FO-S was able to attenuate the exercise-induced increases in prostaglandin E2. Circulating concentrations of insulin did not change, while cortisol and glucose showed increase after the study period. These results suggest that FO-S influence exercise-associated immune responses in competitive swimmers.