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Effects of allicin supplementation on plasma markers of exercise-induced muscle damage, IL-6 and antioxidant capacity

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Abstract

To investigate the effects of allicin supplementation on exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and antioxidative capacity, a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted in well-trained athletes. Subjects were randomly assigned to an allicin supplementation group (AS group) and a control group, and received either allicin or placebo for 14 days before and 2 days after a downhill treadmill run. Plasma creatine kinase (CK), muscle-specific creatine kinase (CK-MM), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), IL-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidative capacity (TAC), and perceived muscle soreness were measured pre and post exercise. AS group had significantly lower plasma levels of CK, CK-MM and IL-6, and reduced perceived muscle soreness after exercise, when compared with the control group. AS group also demonstrated a trend toward reducing plasma concentration of LDH after exercise (P = 0.08), although not statistically significant. Allicin supplementation induced a higher value of TAC at rest, and this higher value was maintained 48 h after exercise, however, there was no difference in SOD values after exercise between the two groups. The results suggested that allicin might be a potential agent to reduce EIMD. Further studies concerning anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of allicin on EIMD are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chengdu Physical Education University, No.2 Ti-Yuan Road, 610041, Chengdu, China

    Quan-Sheng Su

  2. China Institute of Sports Science, Beijing, China

    Ye Tian

  3. Department of Physical Education and Science, Nanjing Normal University, No.1 Wen-Yuan Road, Xianlin, 210046, Nanjing, China

    Jian-Guo Zhang

  4. Henan University, Kaifeng, China

    Hui Zhang

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  1. Quan-Sheng Su
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  2. Ye Tian
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Correspondence to Quan-Sheng Su or Jian-Guo Zhang.

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Su, QS., Tian, Y., Zhang, JG. et al. Effects of allicin supplementation on plasma markers of exercise-induced muscle damage, IL-6 and antioxidant capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol 103, 275–283 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0699-5

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