[The efficiency of branched chain aminoacids (BCAA) in the nutrition of combat sport athletes].

Balanced nutrition of athletes involves the usage of both ordinary products and complexes of functional food ingredients that contribute to improving the performance of athletes, strengthening the immune system. One of the main components of specialized foods that are widely used in sports' nutrition and food supplements are branched chain aminoacids (BCAA): valine, leucine, isoleucine. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the BCAA intake on the parameters of body composition and the immune status of combat sport athletes during the training period. Material and methods. The object of the study was 20 athletes (masters of sports and candidates for masters of sports in combat sports: sambo, judo) at the age of 17-18 years. Athletes were distributed into 2 groups. Athletes of the main group (n=10) for 4 weeks in addition to the main diet were supplemented with BCAA at a dosage of 5 g per day. The athletes of the control group (n=10) received the main diet without BCAA inclusion. Examination of athletes of both groups was carried out at the beginning of the research and after 4 weeks of the observation period. The actual nutrition of athletes and daily energy consumption have been studied, body composition, the quantitative composition of subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes, cytokine profile and hematological parameters have been determined. Results and discussion. As a result of a comprehensive survey of athletes, the positive effect of BCAA intake on the phase angle value (7.35±0.28 vs 6.41±0.32 at the beginning of the study, p<0.05) and muscle mass (25.1±0.8 vs 23.4±0.6 kg, p<0.10) has been demonstrated. In the control group these parameters did not change statistically significantly (7.05±0.25 vs 6.78±0.42 and 24.1±1.7 vs 23.8±1.5 kg). The athletes of the main group showed an increase in erythrocyte hemoglobin content (30.0±0.3 vs 29.0±0.2 pg, p<0.05). The relative content of basophilic leukocytes in athletes of the main group decreased by the end of the observation period - from 0.69±0.05 to 0.54±0.05% (p<0.05), that indicated an increase of immune resistance. The biomarker of the immunotropic effect of BCAA was the suppression of IL-4 production (1.6±0.1 to 1.3±0.1 pg/ml, p<0.05) synthesized by Th2 lymphocytes, with switching response to cellular immunity. Conclusion. The results of this study provide evidence of the effectiveness of BCAA usage in sports' nutrition for maintaining sport performance, immunity, and the adaptive potential of combat sport athletes.

[Immunomodulating effects of using L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 in the nutrition of junior athletes].

Nowdays, much attention is paid to the study of disorders of immune regulation and methods of effective immune correction in athletes. In this regard, the use of specialized sport foods (SSF), containing nutrients with immunomodulatory properties, is of particular relevance in youth sports. The aim of the work is to study the immunomodulating activity of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 in junior athletes during the training period. Material and methods. The object of the study were 30 junior athletes (masters of sports and candidates for masters of sports in swimming) aged 14-18 years, including 9 girls and 21 boys. Athletes were divided into 3 groups of 10 people each. Athletes of the 1st and 2nd main groups received L-carnitine (600 mg per day) and coenzyme Q10 (60 mg/day), respectively, for 4 weeks in addition to the basic diet. The dosage of SSF used in the study was 200% of the adequate level of consumption and did not exceed the upper permissible level of consumption. Athletes of the 3rd group (control) received only basic diet without sports' nutrition. Examination of athletes of all groups was performed at the beginning and after 4 weeks of the observation period. Results and discussion. As a result of a comprehensive survey of junior athletes, the positive effect of L-carnitine intake on erythrocyte hemoglobin content (30.2±0.4 vs 28.3±0.3 pg at the beginning) was observed. The relative content of basophilic leukocytes in athletes of the main groups statistically significantly decreased by the end of the observation period: in the L-carnitine group, from 0.64±0.05 to 0.45±0.04%, in the coenzyme Q10 group, from 0.66±0.07 to 0.50±0.04%, which indicated an increase in the body's resistance to allergic reactions. Conclusion. The biomarkers of the immunotropic effect of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 are a decrease in the expression of the apoptotic marker CD95/Fas on peripheral blood lymphocytes and suppression of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesized by Th1-lymphocytes with switching the response to humoral immunity. An evidence base for the effectiveness of the use of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 in sports nutrition for restoring immune dysfunction and adaptive potential of junior athletes has been provided.