30 Days of Probiotic Supplementation

Abstract

Prolonged strenuous exercise cause an acute increase in leukocytes, including lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes. Evidences have suggested that probiotics can enhance athletes’ immunity. PURPOSE: Investigate the effect of a probiotic supplementation on white blood cells count after a marathon race. METHODS: Eight male athletes that participated in a marathon race were randomly assigned to either a probiotic group (PR=4;37.3±5.8 yr,89.2±14.5Kg,time trial 4:04 hrs ±23min)or placebo (PL=4 36.3±8.5 yr,81.8±9.5Kg, time trial 4:53hrs±75min)in a double-blind design. PR was supplemented with sachet containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis(10x109UFC/d) during 30 days while PL received sachet with maltodextrin(5g/d). It was collected blood samples before the supplementation period (baseline), one day before the marathon (BM), one hour after the race (AR), and 7 days after the marathon(7thafter)for white blood cells differential count. The data was analyzed using ANOVA with repeated measures and a Bonferroni‘s post-hoc, p< 0.05. RESULTS: Leukocytes, Neutrophils and Monocytes presented a significant increase AR (Leu: PR=13.28±2.63,PL=14.26±4.20mm3; Neu: PR=11.20±2.94,PL=12.62±4.27 mm3; Mono: PR=1.02±0.30,PL=0.95±0.24mm3)when compared to other moments(Leu:Baseline: PR=6.47±1.41,PL=5.58±0.56;BM:PR=5.60±0.94, PL=6.01±0.60; 7thafter: PR=5.55±0.59, PL=5.57±0.14; Neu: Baseline:PR=3.13±1.01,PL=3.27±0.72;BM:PR=3.19±0.97,PL=3.66±0.84;7th afterPR=2.89±0.39,PL=3.13±0.30mm3; Mono: BaselinePR=0.61±0.16,PL=0.52±0.18;BM:PR=0.47±0.03,PL=0.50±0.12;7th after:PR=0.50±0.09,PL=0.48±0.11 mm3) in both groups with no differences between groups. Regarding lymphocytes cells at the baseline, the probiotic group has presented higher levels when compared to the placebo group (PR=2.53±0.45; PL=1.46±0.21 mm3). In addition, AR, PR has exhibited a significant decrease in the lymphocytes count when compared to the baseline (AR: PR=1.03±0.42 mm3), as well as PL (PL=1.20±0.22 mm3). CONCLUSION: Thirty days of Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis(10x109 UFC) supplementation have no difference when compared to placebo in leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes. Support by CNPq, CAPES/PROEX.