THE EFFECT OF BCAA SUPPLEMENTATION UPON THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF TRIATHLETES.

 

Reinaldo Abunasser BASSIT

Mara Assis MALVERDI

Bassit, R.A.2,4; Sawada, L.A.3; Bacurau, R.F.P.1,4; Navarro, F.2,4 & Costa Rosa, L.F.B.P.2,4

1Department of Physiology and Biophysics and 2Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

3Department of Biodynamic of the Movement of the Human Body, School of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

4Laboratory of Human Nutrition for Athletes - CEPEUSP, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Short tittle: BCAA supplementation and immune response

Key words: triathlon, immune system, glutamine, immunossupression, cytokines, lymphocyte proliferation

Correspondence to:

  • Dr. Luís F. B. P. Costa Rosa, Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas I, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508-900, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
  • Phone/fax: 55-011-818.7227

Introduction

The triathlon, which comprises sequential swimming, cycling and running, has retained the attention of many researchers, involved in an attempt to characterise the sport and its general features (6, 15, 25). The growing interest in triathlon is based on the original structure of the sport itself and in the wide variety of distances offered to the participants, ranging from sprint to Ironman distance, lasting about 1h and 10h, respectively.

Cardiorrespiratory and metabolic responses during Olympic (1.5km swimming, 40km cycling and 10km running) and long triathlon events have been extensively studied in laboratory and field conditions (7, 8, 14, 15, 24, 30, 32), as well as the changes in the plasma amino acid concentration (10, 19, 20). The effect of this type of exercise upon the immune system has not, however, been vastly investigated. Rohde and colleagues (31) reported a fall in natural killer- and lymphokine activated killer-cell cytotoxic activity and a decrease in serum glutamine concentrations 2h after the end of a triathlon, but failed to show a correlation between plasma glutamine concentration and lymphocyte proliferative response, as previously proposed by Parry-Billings and co-workers (27, 28).

The modulatory effect of exercise upon the immune system is well known. The mechanisms involved, however, are not fully understood, mainly at the level of high top performance (39). Different hypothesis involve the participation of cytokines and/or hormones as mediators of the effects, while other suggest that plasma glutamine concentration could be one of the major factors modulating the immune response to exercise. Several studies have demonstrated that glutamine is an important substrate for the cells of the immune system, which utilise this amino acid as a source of energy and precursors for the synthesis of nucleic acids (1, 2, 27). Based on this hypothesis, Keast and colleagues (17) showed that intense long-duration exercise could lead to immune suppression through a decrease in the level of plasma glutamine.

The decrease of glutamine concentration in plasma 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) (30). However, this reversal is not fully accepted as a means of restoring immune function in athletes. Rohde and colleagues (30) question the statement that maintenance of plasma glutamine concentration in vivo is able to prevent postexercise immunossupression. To better address this question, we have evaluated the effect of a chronic BCAA supplementation upon the immune system of triathletes after an Olympic Triathlon. We have evaluated some blood parameters (lymphocyte proliferation, plasmatic levels of cytokines, plasma glutamine concentration and in vitro production of cytokines by peripheral blood lymphocytes) before and after the São Paulo International Triathlon. As a mean of evaluating the practical relevance of BCAA supplementation upon athletes health we addressed, by a questionnaire, the incidence of symptoms of upper respiratory tract between the groups.

 

Reinaldo Abunasser BASSIT

 

 

CRN - 6845

Formação Profissional

  • Professor de Educação Física - Universidade de São Paulo - Escola de Educação Física. (EEFUSP) - 1988-1991.
  • Nutricionista - Universidade Anhembi Morumbi - 1993 - 1996
  • Mestrado - Universidade de São Paulo - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas. (ICB- USP). Laboratório de Metabolismo
    • Ano de entrada: 1998
    • Previsão de Conclusão: 2000

Atividades Profissionais

  • Professor de Natação e Hidroginástica Período: 2º semestre de 1990
  • Preparação Física Individual (Personal Training) Período: 1989 a 1997
  • Professor de Musculação e Condicionamento Físico Período: 1992 a 1995
  • Coordenador de Natação e Hidroginástica Período: 1994
  • Avaliação e Orientação Nutricional dos Atletas Olímpicos
    • Roberto Scheidt
    • Aurélio Miguel
    • Daniele Zangrando
    • Cristiane Parmiggiane
    • Henrique Guimarães
    • Leandro Macedo
    • Mariana Ohata
  • Orientador Nutricional e Avaliador da Composição Corporal de Times Profissionais.
  • Olympikus Telesp (voleibol) 1995 e 1997
  • Sport Clube Banespa (voleibol) 1996 e 1997.
  • Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (Futebol) 1997
  • Portuguesa Futebol Clube 1997.
  • São Paulo Futebol Clube 1995 e 1996.
  • Preparador Físico das Equipes Masculina e Feminina de Handebol Profissional de Osasco. Período: 1997. (Campeão Brasileiro com a Equipe Feminina).
  • Nutricionista da Equipe Brasileira de Duplas na Travessia da Race Across América 98. Período: 1998. (O Brasil foi campeão pela primeira vez obtendo o record na categoria com o tempo de 7 dias e10 horas.)
  • Consultório particular (desde 1997)

 

Mara Assis MALVERDI

CRN - 6844

Formação Profissional

  • Professora de Educação Física - Universidade de São Paulo - Escola de Educação Física. (EEFUSP) - 1988-1991.
  • Nutricionista - Universidade Anhembi Morumbi - 1993 - 1996

Atividades Profissionais

Área de Educação Física

  • Professora de Ed. Física Escolar (1992-1994)
  • Professora de Natação e Hidroginástica (1992-1994)
  • Professora de Ginástica (1992-1994)
  • Coordenadora de atividades aquáticas (1994)

Área de Nutrição

  • Atendimento em clínicas médicas (1997-1998)
  • Atendimento em academias:
    • Master Academia (1997 - 1998)
    • Raia 4 Morumbi (1997-2000)
    • Raia 4 Moema (1997-2000)
    • Kainágua Fitness (desde 1998)
    • Aquademia Sports (1998-1999)
    • Consultório particular (desde 1997)

 

Entre em contato: