Abstract
Probiotic supplementation arises as playing an immune-stimulatory role. High-intensity and -volume exercise can inhibit immune cell function, which threatens athletic performance and recovery. We hypothesized that 30 days of probiotic supplementation could stabilize the immune system of athletes preventing immune suppression after a marathon race. Twenty-seven male marathonists were double-blinded randomly into probiotic (Bifidobacterium-animalis-subsp.-Lactis (10 × 109) and Lactobacillus-Acidophilus (10 × 109) + 5 g of maltodextrin) and placebo (5 g of maltodextrin) group. They received 30 sachets and supplemented 1 portion/day during 30 days before the race. Blood were collected 30 days before (rest), 1 day before (pre), 1 h after (post) and 5 days after the race (recovery). Both chronic and acute exercise modulated a different T lymphocyte population (CD3+CD4−CD8− T-cells), increasing pre-race, decreasing post and returning to rest values at the recovery. The total number of CD8 T cell and the memory subsets statistically decreased only in the placebo group post-race. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production by stimulated lymphocytes decreased in the probiotic group after the supplementation period. 30 days of probiotic supplementation maintained CD8 T cell and effector memory cell population and played an immunomodulatory role in stimulated lymphocytes. Both, training and marathon modulated a non-classical lymphocyte population regardless of probiotic supplementation.
Highlights
Probiotic supplementation arises as playing an immune-stimulatory role
The results showed that a single bout of exhaustive exercise by itself is not able to increase susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) unless the athlete is in overtraining or fatigue condition
We aimed to evaluate the alterations caused by a marathon in the lymphocyte population and function, and the effects of probiotics in this process
Summary
Probiotic supplementation arises as playing an immune-stimulatory role. High-intensity and -volume exercise can inhibit immune cell function, which threatens athletic performance and recovery. Twenty-seven male marathonists were double-blinded randomly into probiotic (Bifidobacterium-animalis-subsp.-Lactis (10 × 109) and Lactobacillus-Acidophilus (10 × 109) + 5 g of maltodextrin) and placebo (5 g of maltodextrin) group They received 30 sachets and supplemented 1 portion/day during 30 days before the race. High-intensity and -volume exercise such as a marathon race has been associated with immunosuppression by decreasing immune cell function, which enhances susceptibility to viral infections[10,11]. Decrease in energetic substrates for immune cells, such as glucose and glutamine, has been found[14] All these events might contribute to increased susceptibility to URTI. Boosting the immune system of athletes during training is more effective than acute intervention before a race Regarding these points, we hypothesized that 30 days of probiotic supplementation would strengthen the immune system of athletes and prevent a decrease in immune function after a marathon race. We aimed to evaluate the alterations caused by a marathon in the lymphocyte population and function, and the effects of probiotics in this process
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