There was a significant heterogeneity for the impact of CLA  on CRP and IL-6 , but not TNF-α .
Conclusions This meta- analysis showed that CLA supplementation may increase inflammatory markers ( CRP and TNF-α ) .
Background / objectives Conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with attractive biological activities .
Numerous studies have been conducted on the inflammation-lowering effects of CLA in in vitro and animal models .
However , the effects of CLA treatment on the inflammatory markers in humans are controversial .
Anti-inflammatory effects of conjugated linoleic acid on young athletic males.
OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on some inflammatory factors in young healthy males during exhaustive exercise . METHODS The r and omised double-blind controlled study was conducted at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences , Iran , from December 2012 to March2013 , and comprised healthy male athletes 18 - 24 years of age . The subjects were r and omly distributed into control and intervention groups . About 5.6 g/day conjugated linoleic acid supplement and oral paraffin ( placebo ) were given to intervention and control groups respectively daily for two weeks . Fasting blood sample s were taken at baseline and at the end of the two weeks of intervention . The subjects underwent exhaustive exercise and then fasting blood sample s were taken . Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha , interleukin-6 , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein , matrix metalloproteinases-2 and 9 were measured . RESULTS There were 23 subjects in the study , with 13(56.5 % ) in the supplemented group and 10(43.4 % ) in the control group .  Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and tumour necrosis factor alpha were significantly decreased in the supplemented group ( p<0.05 ) . After exhaustive exercise , serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor alpha significantly decreased in the supplemented group compared to the control group(p<0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Two-week administration of conjugated linoleic acid reduced the inflammatory factors following exhaustive exercise in young healthy males
There was a significant heterogeneity for the impact of CLA  on CRP and IL-6 , but not TNF-α .
Conclusions This meta- analysis showed that CLA supplementation may increase inflammatory markers ( CRP and TNF-α ) .
Background / objectives Conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with attractive biological activities .
Numerous studies have been conducted on the inflammation-lowering effects of CLA in in vitro and animal models .
However , the effects of CLA treatment on the inflammatory markers in humans are controversial .