Inflammatory and Immune Response After High Intensity Exercise
Condition: Inflammatory Response
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study is designed to evaluate
      the potential effects of a fucoidan supplement on the inflammatory and immune responses
      following high intensity exercise.
    

Detailed description: 
      Inflammation is an innate immune response to tissue damage as a means of increasing blood
      flow to a specific area to facilitate repair, and is associated with the movement of fluid,
      plasma proteins, and immune cells from the circulation to the site of injury. The
      inflammatory process is initiated by cytokines which attract specific immune cells, such as
      monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, to the damaged tissue. Chronic exercise
      has been found to reduce inflammation and bolster immune system function; however, acute
      exercise has been shown to increase inflammatory response. Cytokine secretion and
      concentrations as well as leukocyte activation following exercise appear to increase in
      proportion to exercise intensity. Therefore, on an acute basis, high intensity exercise may
      cause immunosuppression and increased inflammation. High degrees of muscle damage and
      inflammation post-exercise result in decrements in muscle strength and range of motion,
      increased delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and swelling, as well as the efflux of
      myocellular proteins and enzymes, including creatine kinase (CK). Therefore, post-exercise
      nutritional supplementation for individuals participating in high intensity exercise may be
      beneficial to modulate exercise-associated immune function and reduce inflammation.

      Fucoidans are fucose-rich sulfated carbohydrates found in brown marine algae and have been
      shown to play a role in immune modulation as well as inflammation. In fact, fucoidans have
      been shown to inhibit neutrophil infiltration and attenuate levels of pro-inflammatory
      cytokines. More research is warranted to determine the effects of supplementation with
      fucoidans to reduce inflammation following high intensity exercise. Therefore, this
      double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design study will be conducted to
      further understand these effects.
    

Intervention name(s): Fucoidan 500mg; Placebo
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): 1 capsule to be taken twice daily with food (morning and evening).; 1 capsule to be taken twice daily with food (morning and evening).
Intervention MeSH terms: Fucoidan
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: This is a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design study. Participants will be randomized to one of the two SP sequences [either FMAS (2 weeks) → washout (1 week) → IPC (2 weeks): sequence A, or IPC (2 weeks) → washout (1 week) → FMAS (2 weeks): sequence B]. Each participant will act as their own control due to the cross-over design of the study.
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care