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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02177383

Action of Essential Fatty Acids on the Expression of Antioxidant Genes and Athletic Performance

There are conflicting evidences of the effects of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on athletic performance. The investigators working hypothesis is based on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, given its pro-oxidative character and also by its action on transcription factors can modulate the antioxidant response and oxidative damage induced by physical activity.The overall objective of the study is to establish situations improving athletic performance and study the oxidative balance by manipulation of feeding patterns and consumption of nutritional supplements and investigate the involved mechanisms.

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Key information

Conditions

Oxidative Stress Antioxidant Capabilities Athletic Performance Behavior Exercise Motor Activity Training Season

Age range

16 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Balearic Islands

Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, 07122, Spain

About this study

There are conflicting evidences of the effects of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on athletic performance. The described effects of PUFAs on the fat metabolism may be modulated by the expression and activity of transcription factor genes, suppressing or expressing genes associated with the synthesis and oxidation of fats and in oxidative stress and inflammation.

The investigators' working hypothesis is based on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, given its pro-oxidative character and also by its action on transcription factors can modulate the antioxidant response and oxidative damage induced by physical activity.

In the field of professional sports and leisure use of food and / or antioxidants in the belief that these elements prevent muscle damage is very established. Most studies in athletes supplemented with antioxidant nutrients revealed no significant effects on physical performance, but it has shown that supplements protect against tissue damage induced by exercise. Recent studies have reported that over 35% of the Spanish people eat diets low or very low quality, which is clearly shown that over 10% of Spaniards have poor intakes (<2/3 IDR) riboflavin (men) , folate (women), vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.

The overall objective of the study is to establish situations improving athletic performance and study the oxidative balance by manipulation of feeding patterns and consumption of nutritional supplements and investigate the involved mechanisms. The aim of this study is to establish scientific basis for design functional foods improving athletic performance and health and avoiding the negative consequences of the oxidative damage induced by overexertion.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Ages eligible for study: 16 to 35 years
  • Genders eligible for study: Male
  • Equilibrate diet
  • Physical activity of 1-2 hours daily 5-7 days weekly.
  • Body mass index (19-25 kg/m2)

Exclusion criteria

  • Smokers

Treatment and study plan

Docosahexaenoic acid diet supplementation

Dietary Supplement

Nine soccer players (19 and 22 years old) took 1 liter/day of one experimental beverage (containing 0.2% olive oil + 0.6% DHA-S Martek). Follow-up 8 weeks. At week 8 an acute exercise season was programed.

One blood sample was taken in resting conditions at beginning of the nutritional intervention (week 0, baseline). Another two blood samples were taken at the end of the nutritional intervention, in resting (week 8, pre-exercise) and post-exercise conditions (week 8, post-exercise). Biochemical measures, oxidative damage markers on lipids, proteins and DNA, antioxidant capabilities (enzyme activities and quantity of enzyme protein and gene expression) and inflammatory markers were measured in serum, plasma, erythrocytes, neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Placebo supplementation

Dietary Supplement

Six professionals soccer players (19 and 22 years old) took 1 liter/day of placebo beverage (containing 0.8% olive oil). Follow-up 8 weeks. At week 8 an acute exercise season was programed.

One blood sample was taken in resting conditions at beginning of the nutritional intervention (week 0, baseline). Another two blood samples were taken at the end of the nutritional intervention, in resting (week 8, pre-exercise) and post-exercise conditions (week 8, post-exercise). Biochemical measures, oxidative damage markers on lipids, proteins and DNA, antioxidant capabilities (enzyme activities and quantity of enzyme protein and gene expression) and inflammatory markers were measured in serum, plasma, erythrocytes, neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Primary outcomes

  1. DHA incorporation in erythrocyte cellular membranes

    Time frame: Baseline, week 8

    Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a conditionally essential fatty acid. Primary outcome: DHA incorporation in the erythrocyte cellular membranes by gas chromatography of soccer players during a training season

Secondary outcomes

  1. DHA on oxidative stress

    Time frame: Baseline, week-8 (pre- and post-exercise)

    Effects of DHA diet supplementation, the training season and acute exercise on oxidative and nitrosative damage markers and antioxidant enzyme activities, and protein levels in different blood fractions.

  2. DHA on inflammation

    Time frame: Baseline, week-8 (pre- and post-exercise)

    Effects of DHA diet supplementation, the training season and acute exercise on inflammation markers.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of the Balearic Islands

Other

Collaborators

  • Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Registry information

Official study title

Scientific Basis of the Action of Foods Rich in Essential Fatty Acids on the Expression of Antioxidant Genes and Athletic Performance

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2011
First posted
Jun 27, 2014
Registry last updated
Jun 27, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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