Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Attenuates Inflammatory Markers After Eccentric Exercise in Untrained Men

Objective: To examine the effect of ingestion of omega-3 (N-3) fatty acids on the production of interleukin (IL) 6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, prostaglandin (PG) E-2, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and myoglobin (Mb) during an eccentric exercise program. Design: A randomized, double-blinded, repeated measures design was used for this study. Setting: The study was performed in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University. Participants: Forty-five men, who had not participated in any training program for 60 days before their participation in this study, were recruited. Interventions: Plasma levels of PGE(2), IL-6, TNF-alpha, CK, LDH, and Mb were taken before supplementation, pre-exercise, and immediately, 24, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise. Subjects were assigned to one of the experimental (1.8 g/d N-3), placebo, or control groups. Main Outcome Measures: Plasma levels of PGE(2), IL-6, and TNF-alpha were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kits. Plasma level of LDH, Mb, and CK were measured using an autoanalyzer, a c-counter, and an automatic blood analyzer, respectively. Results: The experimental group showed less elevation in TNF-alpha and PGE(2) immediately, 24, and 48 hours after exercise, when compared with the other groups. Significantly less elevation was shown in the concentration of IL-6, CK, and Mb for the experimental group at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The experimental group also demonstrated a significant trend toward reduction in the plasma concentration of LDH immediately, 24, and 48 hours after the exercise program. Conclusions: Ingestion of N-3 can be effective in ameliorating, eccentric exercise-induced, inflammatory markers.