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Cited by 102Exercise and Physiological ResponsesMuscle metabolism and nutritionSports Performance and Training

The effect of BCAA supplementation upon the immune response of triathletes

BASSIT, REINALDO A., SAWADA, LETICIA A., BACURAU, REURY FRANK P., NAVARRO, FRANCISCO, ROSA, LU??S FERNANDO B. P. COSTA·2000·Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
DOI 10.1097/00005768-200007000-00005
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Intense long-duration exercise could lead to immune suppression through a decrease in the circulating level of plasma glutamine. The decrease in plasma glutamine concentration as a consequence of intense long-duration exercise was reversed, in some cases, by supplementing the diet of the athletes with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). To better address this question, we have evaluated some blood parameters (lymphocyte proliferation, the level of plasma cytokines, plasma glutamine concentration, and in vitro production of cytokines by peripheral blood lymphocytes) before and after the São Paulo International Triathlon, as well as the incidence of symptoms of infections between the groups. METHODS: Twelve elite male triathletes of mean age 25.5 +/- 3.2 yr (ranging from 21.4 to 30.1 yr), weighing 74.16 +/- 3.9 kg, swam 1.5 km, cycled 40 km, and ran 10 km (Olympic triathlon) in the São Paulo International Triathlon held in April 1997 and April 1998. In both events, six athletes received BCAA and the others, placebo. RESULTS: Athletes from the BCAA group (BG) presented the same levels of plasma glutamine, before and after the trial, whereas those from the placebo group showed a reduction of 22.8% in plasma glutamine concentration after the competition. Changes in the proliferative response of peripheral blood lymphocytes were accompanied by a reduction in IL-1 production after exercise (22.2%), which was reversed by BCAA supplementation (20.3%), without changes in IL-2 production. DISCUSSION: The data obtained show that BCAA supplementation can reverse the reduction in serum glutamine concentration observed after prolonged intense exercise such as an Olympic triathlon. The decrease in plasma glutamine concentration is paralleled by an increased incidence of symptoms of infections that results in augmented proliferative response of lymphocytes cultivated in the absence of mitogens. The prevention of the lowering of plasma glutamine concentration allows an increased response of lymphocytes to ConA and LPS, as well as an increased production of IL-1 and 2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, possibly linked to the lower incidence of symptoms of infection (33.84%) reported by the supplemented athletes.

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Crossref · 10.1097/00005768-200007000-00005

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Authors
BASSIT, R. A., SAWADA, L. A., BACURAU, R. F. P., NAVARRO, F., & ROSA, L. F. B. P. C.
Affiliations
Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
ORCID
Venue
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2000-07
Volume
32
Issue
7
Pages
1214-1219
ISSN
0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/00005768-200007000-00005
OpenAlex
W2020896810
Cited by
102
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
FWCI
3.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
branched-chain amino acids, dietary supplementation, triathletes, exercise immunosuppression, plasma glutamine, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines, interleukin-1, interleukin-2, TNF-α, interferon-gamma, infection symptoms, prolonged exercise
MeSH terms
Adult, Amino Acids, Branched-Chain, Bicycling, Glutamine, Humans, Immunity, Cellular, Immunosuppression Therapy, Male, Running, Swimming, Lymphocyte Subsets, Cytokines, Dietary Supplements

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