Effect of short-term beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on serum cortisol and testosterone levels in male wrestlers following an exhaustive exercise

Background: The use of HMB supplement is prevalence among athletes to reduce proteolysis and increase muscle mass. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on serum cortisol and testosterone levels in wrestling men following an exhaustive exercise. Methods: Sixteen male wrestlers were randomly divided into two groups including: HMB supplementation (40 mg/kg body weight; n=8) and placebo (n=8). Both groups, after two weeks of supplementation, performed an exhaustive exercise. Blood was obtained before supplementation (Base), before exhaustive exercise, immediately after exhaustive exercise, one hour and 24 hours’ after exhaustive exercise. Circulating concentrations of cortisol and testosterone were assayed. Results: The results of this study indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups at serum cortisol levels of resting state (before exhaustive exercise) and after exhaustive exercise (immediately, one hour and 24 hours later) (p<0.05). However, there was significant difference between the HMB and placebo groups at serum testosterone levels and testosterone/cortisol of resting state (before exhaustive exercise) and after exhaustive exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: In general, short-term beta-hydroxy beta-methyl butyrate (HMB) supplementation does not affect the serum cortisol in male wrestlers before and after an exhausting exercise. However, HMB supplementation can lead to a significant increase in serum testosterone and T/C before and after an exhausting exercise.

Alterations in the mucosal immune system by a chronic exhausting exercise in Wistar rats

Exhausting exercise can disturb immune and gastrointestinal functions. Nevertheless, the impact of it on mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue has not been studied in depth. Here, we aim to establish the effects of an intensive training and exhausting exercise on the mucosal immunity of rats and to approach the mechanisms involved. Rats were submitted to a high-intensity training consisting of running in a treadmill 5 days per week for 5 weeks, involving 2 weekly exhaustion tests. At the end, samples were obtained before (T), immediately after (TE) and 24 h after (TE24) an additional final exhaustion test. The training programme reduced the salivary production of immunoglobulin A, impaired the tight junction proteins’ gene expression and modified the mesenteric lymph node lymphocyte composition and function, increasing the ratio between Tαβ+ and B lymphocytes, reducing their proliferation capacity and enhancing their interferon-γ secretion. As a consequence of the final exhaustion test, the caecal IgA content increased, while it impaired the gut zonula occludens expression and enhanced the interleukin-2 and interferon-γ secretion. Our results indicate that intensive training for 5 weeks followed or not by an additional exhaustion disrupts the mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue and the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in rats.

Influence of Hesperidin on Systemic Immunity of Rats Following an Intensive Training and Exhausting Exercise

Intensive training and exhausting exercise can disrupt innate and acquired immunity. The flavanone hesperidin has shown immunomodulatory properties in physiological and some pathological conditions, and positive effects on exercise-induced oxidative stress. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether it also prevents exhausting exercise-induced immune alterations. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of oral hesperidin supplementation on the systemic immune system in rats following an intensive training and exhausting exercise. For this purpose, female Wistar rats were randomized into an intensive training group or a sedentary group. Intensive training was induced by running in a treadmill 5 days per week (including two exhausting tests) for five weeks. Throughout the training period, 200 mg/kg of hesperidin or vehicle was administered by oral gavage three times per week. At the end, blood, thymus, spleen and macrophages were collected before, immediately after and 24 h after an additional final exhaustion test. Hesperidin supplementation enhanced natural killer cell cytotoxicity and the proportion of phagocytic monocytes, attenuated the secretion of cytokines by stimulated macrophages, prevented the leukocytosis induced by exhaustion and increased the proportion of T helper cells in the thymus, blood and spleen. These results suggest that hesperidin can prevent exhausting exercise-induced immune alterations.