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Effects of 14-weeks betaine supplementation on pro-inflammatory cytokines and hematology status in professional youth soccer players during a competition season: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Nobari, H, Cholewa, JM, Pérez-Gómez, J, Castillo-Rodríguez, A
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2021;(1):42
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines are a marker of non-functional over reaching, and betaine has been shown to reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of betaine supplementation on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukins-1 beta (IL-1β), - 6 (IL-6) and the complete blood cell (CBC) count in professional youth soccer players during a competitive season. METHODS Twenty-nine soccer players (age, 15.5 ± 0.3 years) were randomly divided into two groups based on playing position: betaine group (BG, n = 14, 2 g/day) or placebo group (PG, n = 15). During the 14-week period, training load was matched and well-being indicators were monitored daily. The aforementioned cytokines and CBC were assessed at pre- (P1), mid- (P2), and post- (P3) season. RESULTS Significant (p < 0.05) group x time interactions were found for TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. These variables were lower in the BG at P2 and P3 compared to P1, while IL-1β was greater in the PG at P3 compared to P1 (p = 0.033). The CBC count analysis showed there was significant group by time interactions for white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). WBC demonstrated increases at P3 compared to P2 in PG (p = 0.034); RBC was less at P3 compared to P1 in BG (p = 0.020); Hb was greater at P2 compared to P1, whilst it was less at P3 compared to P3 for both groups. MCHC was greater at P3 and P2 compared to P1 in BG, whereas MCHC was significantly lower at P3 compared to P2 in the PG (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION The results confirmed that 14 weeks of betaine supplementation prevented an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and WBC counts. It seems that betaine supplementation may be a useful nutritional strategy to regulate the immune response during a fatiguing soccer season.
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Monitoring Blood Biomarkers and Training Load Throughout a Collegiate Soccer Season.
Huggins, RA, Fortunati, AR, Curtis, RM, Looney, DP, West, CA, Lee, EC, Fragala, MS, Hall, ML, Casa, DJ
Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2019;(11):3065-3077
Abstract
Huggins, RA, Fortunati, AR, Curtis, RM, Looney, DP, West, CA, Lee, EC, Fragala, MS, Hall, ML, and Casa, DJ. Monitoring blood biomarkers and training load throughout a collegiate soccer season. J Strength Cond Res 33(11): 3065-3077, 2019-This observational study aimed to characterize the responses of a comprehensive panel of biomarkers, observed ranges, training load (TL) metrics, and performance throughout the collegiate soccer season (August-November). Biomarkers (n = 92) were collected before the start of pre-season (PS), in-season weeks (W)1, W4, W8, and W12 in NCAA Division I male soccer players (n = 20, mean ± SD; age = 21 ± 1 years, height = 180 ± 6 cm, body mass = 78.19 ± 6.3 kg, body fat = 12.0 ± 2.6%, VO2max 51.5 ± 5.1 ml·kg·min). Fitness tests were measured at PS, and W12 and TL was monitored daily. Changes in biomarkers and performance were calculated via separate repeated-measures analysis of variance. Despite similar fitness (p > 0.05), endocrine, muscle, inflammatory, and immune markers changed over time (p < 0.05). Total and free testosterone was lower in W1 vs. PS, whereas free cortisol remained unchanged at PS, W1, and W4 (>0.94 mg·dL). Oxygen transport and iron metabolism markers remained unchanged except for HCT (W1 vs. PS) and total iron binding capacity (W8-W12 vs. W1). Hepatic markers albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin, and total protein levels were elevated (p < 0.05) at W12 vs. W1, whereas aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were elevated at W1-W12 and W8-W12 vs. PS, respectively. Vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and calcium levels were elevated (p < 0.05) at W12 vs. W1, whereas Vitamin D was decreased (p < 0.05). Fatty acids and cardiovascular markers (omega-3 index, cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein [HDL], docosahexenoic acid, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], direct LDL, non-HDL, ApoB) were reduced at W1 vs. PS (p ≤ 0.05). Immune, lipid, and muscle damage biomarkers were frequently outside clinical reference ranges. Routine biomarker monitoring revealed subclinical and clinical changes, suggesting soccer-specific reference ranges. Biomarker monitoring may augment positive adaptation and reduce injuries from stressors incurred during soccer.
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Oral spray wintertime vitamin D3 supplementation has no impact on inflammation in Gaelic footballers.
Todd, JJ, McSorley, EM, Pourshahidi, LK, Madigan, SM, Crowe, W, Laird, EJ, Healy, M, McNeilly, A, Magee, PJ
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2017;(11):1300-1307
Abstract
Vitamin D inadequacy [total 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L] is widespread in athletes. The biologically active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, may be involved in regulating inflammation although in vitro findings have not been consistently replicated in human intervention trials. This study, conducted at a latitude of 55°N, aimed to assess inflammatory biomarkers in Gaelic footballers before and after a wintertime vitamin D3 intervention. Samples from a 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, in which 42 Gaelic footballers received 3000 IU (75 μg) vitamin D3 daily or placebo via oral spray solutions, were analysed for a range of inflammatory biomarkers. Cytokines (interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α), cathelicidin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were quantified by multiplex assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and clinical biochemistry, respectively. White blood cell, lymphocyte, and neutrophil concentrations were determined by full blood profile. Data on total 25-hydroxyvitamin D, measured by LC-MS/MS, were available from the previous study. Vitamin D3 supplementation significantly increased mean total 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations from 47 to 84 nmol/L (P = 0.006); yet this had no effect on white blood cell count (P = 0.699), lymphocyte (P = 0.694), neutrophil (P = 0.594), interleukin-8 (P = 0.334), tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.587), cathelicidin (P = 0.745) or high sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration (P = 0.621) compared to placebo. 12-weeks vitamin D3 supplementation did not impact the immune profile of Gaelic footballers. This is likely because biomarkers were within their respective normal range or at a concentration similar to that of the general population at baseline. Future studies are encouraged to use inflammation as their primary outcome measure and recruit athletes at risk of compromised immunity.
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Salivary IgA response to intermittent and continuous exercise.
Sari-Sarraf, V, Reilly, T, Doran, DA
International journal of sports medicine. 2006;(11):849-55
Abstract
Current evidence would support a view that intense exercise increases whereas moderate exercise reduces the susceptibility to illness, predominately upper respiratory tract infections. Concentrations of IgA and cortisol in saliva may be used to reflect changes in immune function. The aim of this study was to determine if the type of exercise (soccer-specific intermittent or continuous exercise at the same average work-rate and duration) affects salivary IgA (s-IgA) and cortisol responses. In a randomized, counterbalanced design, eight healthy males completed two trials one week apart at the same time of day on a motorized treadmill. One session entailed soccer-specific intermittent exercise, the other involved continuous exercise at the same overall work-rate. Diet and activity were standardized for 48 hours prior to and following each trial. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected via passive expectoration during the week prior to commencement of exercise, before, at half-time, immediately post-exercise, and 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours post-exercise. No significant difference was observed in heart rate between the two exercise conditions (Intermittent: 142 +/- 14; Continuous: 141 +/- 16 beats x min (-1)). Average rating of perceived exertion was higher (p < 0.05) in intermittent exercise (11.9 +/- 0.8) than during continuous exercise (10.8 +/- 1.2). The pattern of change in salivary responses, including solute secretion rate, IgA concentration, IgA secretion rate, IgA to osmolality ratio, cortisol, and cortisol secretion rate did not differ between the two trials (p > 0.05). Concentrations of s-IgA for the intermittent and continuous protocols were 131.6 +/- 61.2 vs. 146.4 +/- 107.6 before, 148.4 +/- 82.5 vs. 229.2 +/- 159.6 after, and 125 +/- 78.7 vs. 131.1 +/- 80.7 48 h post-exercise, respectively. Saliva flow rate decreased and osmolality increased significantly across all time points (p < 0.05). In conclusion, soccer-specific intermittent exercise did not suppress the salivary IgA response or alter cortisol secretion compared to continuous exercise performed at the same overall work-rate.
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Evaluation of autoantibodies against oxidized LDL (oLAB) and blood antioxidant status in professional soccer players.
Kłapcińska, B, Kempa, K, Sobczak, A, Sadowska-Krepa, E, Jagsz, S, Szołtysek, I
International journal of sports medicine. 2005;(1):71-8
Abstract
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are very sensitive to oxidative processes initiated by oxygen free radicals, known to be produced in large quantities during intense physical exercise. Oxidatively modified lipoprotein particles (oxLDL) are strongly atherogenic and immunogenic, as a consequence specific autoantibodies (oLAB) against oxLDL are produced by the immune system. This study was designed to evaluate the oLAB titres in professional soccer players and to find out whether the immune response to oxidative modification of LDL correlates with the antioxidant status of individual players. Eleven players volunteered to participate in an incremental treadmill running exercise to volitional fatigue twice (in October and January) during the competitive season. Venous blood samples were withdrawn before and 3 min after the cessation of the test. Serum levels of oLAB were measured by ELISA (Biomedica). Blood samples were analyzed for glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase. The activity of creatine kinase (CK) and concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin E and retinol were determined in plasma. From 11 subjects only in 4 players, in both graded running tests, the oLAB titres were low (< 200 mU.ml(-1)). The remaining athletes presented elevated oLAB (800-1400 mU.ml(-1)). Significantly lower activities of catalase and glutathione reductase and lower concentration of alpha-tocopherol were recorded in the 2nd trial. When the data were arranged according to the oLAB titres no significant between-group differences were found in either pre- and post-test activities of antioxidant enzymes or in concentrations of antioxidants. However, significantly higher CK activities and a tendency towards more elevated plasma MDA concentrations were observed in subjects with higher oLAB levels. It seems justified to presume that high titres of antibodies against oxLDL, as evidenced in most of the players, could be accounted for by their higher in vivo susceptibility of LDL to structural modification under conditions of intensive training-induced oxidative stress, despite their apparently normal antioxidant status.