Action of Essential Fatty Acids on the Expression of Antioxidant Genes and Athletic Performance

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
There are conflicting evidences of the effects of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on athletic performance. The investigators working hypothesis is based on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, given its pro-oxidative character and also by its action on transcription factors can modulate the antioxidant response and oxidative damage induced by physical activity.The overall objective of the study is to establish situations improving athletic performance and study the oxidative balance by manipulation of feeding patterns and consumption of nutritional supplements and investigate the involved mechanisms.

Detailed Description
-----------------
There are conflicting evidences of the effects of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on athletic performance. The described effects of PUFAs on the fat metabolism may be modulated by the expression and activity of transcription factor genes, suppressing or expressing genes associated with the synthesis and oxidation of fats and in oxidative stress and inflammation. The investigators' working hypothesis is based on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, given its pro-oxidative character and also by its action on transcription factors can modulate the antioxidant response and oxidative damage induced by physical activity. In the field of professional sports and leisure use of food and / or antioxidants in the belief that these elements prevent muscle damage is very established. Most studies in athletes supplemented with antioxidant nutrients revealed no significant effects on physical performance, but it has shown that supplements protect against tissue damage induced by exercise. Recent studies have reported that over 35% of the Spanish people eat diets low or very low quality, which is clearly shown that over 10% of Spaniards have poor intakes (<2/3 IDR) riboflavin (men) , folate (women), vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. The overall objective of the study is to establish situations improving athletic performance and study the oxidative balance by manipulation of feeding patterns and consumption of nutritional supplements and investigate the involved mechanisms. The aim of this study is to establish scientific basis for design functional foods improving athletic performance and health and avoiding the negative consequences of the oxidative damage induced by overexertion.

Official Title
-----------------
Scientific Basis of the Action of Foods Rich in Essential Fatty Acids on the Expression of Antioxidant Genes and Athletic Performance

Conditions
-----------------
Oxidative Stress, Exercise, Training Season, Antioxidant Capabilities, Athletic Performance

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Dietary Supplement: Docosahexaenoic acid diet supplementation
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementation


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Ages eligible for study: 16 to 35 years Genders eligible for study: Male Equilibrate diet Physical activity of 1-2 hours daily 5-7 days weekly. Body mass index (19-25 kg/m2) Exclusion Criteria: Smokers

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 16 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Docosahexaenoic acid<br>1 liter/day of one experimental beverage (containing 0.2% olive oil + 0.6% DHA-S Martek) provides 1.14 g DHA/daily | Dietary Supplement: Docosahexaenoic acid diet supplementation<br>* Nine soccer players (19 and 22 years old) took 1 liter/day of one experimental beverage (containing 0.2% olive oil + 0.6% DHA-S Martek). Follow-up 8 weeks. At week 8 an acute exercise season was programed. One blood sample was taken in resting conditions at beginning of the nutritional intervention (week 0, baseline). Another two blood samples were taken at the end of the nutritional intervention, in resting (week 8, pre-exercise) and post-exercise conditions (week 8, post-exercise). Biochemical measures, oxidative damage markers on lipids, proteins and DNA, antioxidant capabilities (enzyme activities and quantity of enzyme protein and gene expression) and inflammatory markers were measured in serum, plasma, erythrocytes, neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Olive oil<br>1 liter/day of placebo beverage (containing 0.8% olive oil) | Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementation<br>* Six professionals soccer players (19 and 22 years old) took 1 liter/day of placebo beverage (containing 0.8% olive oil). Follow-up 8 weeks. At week 8 an acute exercise season was programed. One blood sample was taken in resting conditions at beginning of the nutritional intervention (week 0, baseline). Another two blood samples were taken at the end of the nutritional intervention, in resting (week 8, pre-exercise) and post-exercise conditions (week 8, post-exercise). Biochemical measures, oxidative damage markers on lipids, proteins and DNA, antioxidant capabilities (enzyme activities and quantity of enzyme protein and gene expression) and inflammatory markers were measured in serum, plasma, erythrocytes, neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DHA incorporation in erythrocyte cellular membranes | Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a conditionally essential fatty acid. Primary outcome: DHA incorporation in the erythrocyte cellular membranes by gas chromatography of soccer players during a training season | Baseline, week 8 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DHA on oxidative stress | Effects of DHA diet supplementation, the training season and acute exercise on oxidative and nitrosative damage markers and antioxidant enzyme activities, and protein levels in different blood fractions. | Baseline, week-8 (pre- and post-exercise) | 
| DHA on inflammation | Effects of DHA diet supplementation, the training season and acute exercise on inflammation markers. | Baseline, week-8 (pre- and post-exercise) |