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) α, prostaglandin (PG) E2, 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 PGE2, IL-6, TNF-α, 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 PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α 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-α and PGE2 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.