The Effects of Omega-3 and Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation on Serum Apoptosis Markers Following Acute Resistance Exercise in Old Men.

The potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) supplements on exercise-induced apoptosis are not clear. In a crossover randomized study, 11 men (age = 62.8 ± 2.2 years) performed an acute bout of resistance exercise and underwent 1-week supplementation with either 20 g of BCAA or 2,700 mg of omega-3/day. Subjects performed the same exercise after supplementation protocols. Following a 3-week washout period, subjects switched groups. Circulating levels of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), cytochrome c, Bax, Bcl-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B were measured before and immediately after exercise sessions. sFasL, cytochrome c, and Bax increased after exercise. Simple main effect of time on sFasl was significant in control trial but not in omega-3 and BCAA trials. There were no differences in nuclear factor-kappa B and Bcl-2 between control and supplement trials. This study showed that adding omega-3 fatty acids or BCAA to the dietary regime of old men could partially attenuate resistance exercise-induced apoptosis.

Influence of Creatine Supplementation on Apoptosis Markers After Downhill Running in Middle-Aged Men: A Crossover Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: Strenuous exercise can induce apoptosis in a variety of tissues. We investigated the effects of creatine loading on apoptosis markers after downhill running. DESIGN: Twenty-two middle-aged men were randomly assigned to either a creatine or a placebo group. Crossover design, double-blind controlled supplementation was performed using 20 g/d(-1) of creatine or maltodextrin for 7 days. Downhill running (12% incline) at 70% of heart rate maximum for 40 mins was performed on the eighth day. Blood samples were taken on the day before supplementation, after supplementation and after running. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, Bax, and IGF-1 concentrations from presupplementation to postsupplementation in both groups of creatine and placebo (P > 0.05). There were significant increases (P < 0.05) in serum caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, and Bax after running in the placebo group. These markers were not noticeably changed in the creatine group (P > 0.05). Bcl-2 was unchanged in the placebo group but substantially increased (P < 0.05) in the creatine group. No significant changes were observed in IGF-1 concentration after running comparing to prerunning in both groups (P > 0.05). Lactate levels increased similarly in both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that creatine supplementation could prevent exercise-induced apoptotic markers.