Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on Endurance Performance, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid substance presents in a variety of food pants, has been shown in vitro and in animal studies to have health and performance benefits resulting from a combination of biological propertities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as the ability to increase mitochondrial biogenesis. None is known about the effects on exercise in humans. The aim of this study is to investigate whether 4 wk of oral supplementation with resveratrol will enhance endurance run performance, increase maximal oxygen uptake (V ‧ O2max), decrease oxidative stress and mitigate acute inflammation induced by 21-km run. Sixteen male long-distance runners with an age range of 20-25 will complete this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. The washout period is 8 wk. During each period, each participant is instructed to ingest either 1000 mg resveratrol, or 500 mg resveratrol and 500 mg placebo, or 1000 mg placebo daily for 4 wk. After 4 wk of supplementation, participants perform a 21 km performance run on a level treadmill, and V ‧ O2max is determined before and after supplement. The participants are required to run at 70 % V ‧ O2max during the first 5 km of the run. They then complete the remaining 16 km as fast as possible. Blood samples are collected from the antebrachial vein before supplementation, before exercise, immediately, and 1, 2, 24 h, 48 h, and 48 h after exercise. Concentrations of inflammatoty markers (interleukin-6, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and C-reactive protein), 8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α (a lipid oxidative marker), protein carbonyl (a protein oxidative marker), 8-hydroxy-2'- deoxyguanosine (a DNA oxidative marker), catalase (an endogenous enzymatic antioxidant), reduced glutathione (an endogenous non-enzymatic antioxidant), and resveratrol in plasma will be assayed.