The physiologic stress induced by physical activity is reflected in immune system perturbations, oxidative stress, muscle injury, and inflammation. We investigated the effect of astaxanthin (Asx) supplementation on salivary IgA (sIgA) and oxidative stress status in plasma, along with changes in biochemical parameters and total/differential white cell counts. Forty trained male soccer players were randomly assigned to Asx and placebo groups. Asx group was supplemented with 4 mg of Asx. Saliva and blood samples were collected at the baseline and after 90 days of supplementation in preexercise conditions. We observed a rise of sIgA levels at rest after 90 days of Asx supplementation, which was accompanied with a decrease in prooxidant-antioxidant balance. The plasma muscle enzymes levels were reduced significantly by Asx supplementation and by regular training. The increase in neutrophil count and hs-CRP level was found only in placebo group, indicating a significant blunting of the systemic inflammatory response in the subjects taking Asx. This study indicates that Asx supplementation improves sIgA response and attenuates muscle damage, thus preventing inflammation induced by rigorous physical training. Our findings also point that Asx could show significant physiologic modulation in individuals with mucosal immunity impairment or under conditions of increased oxidative stress and inflammation.

Summary: Background:The purpose of the present study was to report and discuss the hematological and biochemical behavior of elite soccer players, in order to get more insight in the physiological characteristics of these sportsmen and to provide trainers and sports doctors with useful indicators.Methods:Nineteen male soccer players volunteered to participate in this study. We followed the young elite soccer players during a competitive half season. Venous blood samples were collected between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. after an overnight fast (10 h) at baseline, after 45 and 90 days and hematological and biochemical parameters were measured.Results:Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly reduced over the observational period (p<0.05), but erythrocyte count and iron levels remained unchanged. Bilirubin and ferritin levels significantly increased in response to regular soccer training (p<0.05). We observed a significant decrease in muscle enzyme plasma activity during the 90 days study period. ANOVA analysis revealed a significant increase in the leukocyte and neutrophil counts (p<0.05), in parallel with a significant decrease in the lymphocyte count (p<0.05) after the observational period of 90 days.Conclusions:Elite soccer players are characterized by significant changes in biochemical and hematological paramneueters over the half season, which are linked to training workload, as well as adaptation induced by the soccer training. Although the values of the measured parameters fell within the reference range, regular monitoring of the biochemical and hematological parameters is fundamental for the identification of a healthy status and related optimal performances by sport doctors and trainers and selection of a correct workload by trainers.

Dietary supplementation with sugar cane derivates may modulate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels. The purpose of this study was to determine if dietary supplement (DS), containing Octacosanol (20 mg) and vitamin K2 (45 µg), could restore the disrupted physiologic relation between LDL-C and serum PCSK9. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-center study including 87 patients on chronic atorvastatin therapy was conducted. Eighty-seven patients were randomized to receive DS (n = 42) or placebo (n = 45), and followed for 13 weeks. Serum PCSK9 levels, lipid parameters and their relationship were the main efficacy endpoints. The absolute levels of PCSK9 and LDL-C were not significantly different from baseline to 13 weeks. However, physiologic correlation between % change of PCSK9 and % change of LDL-C levels was normalized only in the group of patients treated with DS (r = 0.409, p = 0.012). This study shows that DS can restore statin disrupted physiologic positive correlation between PCSK9 and LDL-C. Elevated PCSK9 level is an independent risk factor so controlling its rise by statins may be important in prevention of cardiovascular events.

Introduction/Objective. We determined the impact of antioxidant supplementation by GE132R on sports performance, oxidative stress markers, and muscle enzymes activities in professional female basketball players. Methods. Repetitive strength, explosive power, anaerobic endurance, and agility performance were measured before/after the 45-day supplementation period. The FORT (Free Oxygen Radicals Test) and FORD analysis (Free Oxygen Radical Defense) were assessed before/after basketball specific exercise bout, at the beginning/end of observational period. The grade of muscle damage was evaluated by aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results. After supplementation period, significant difference was not recorded regarding the basic motor skills tests. Basketball specific exercise bout induced significant increase in FORT (p < 0.05) only at the beginning of supplementation period. Both FORT and FORD significantly decreased over the observational period (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). CK and LDH were remarkably lower at the end of observational period (p < 0.05), compared to the baseline. Conclusion. Exogenous supplementation with protective nutraceuticals such as those found in GE132R, could reduce acute/chronic oxidative stress and muscle damage, but had no effect on sport performance in basketball players.