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ASTAXANTHIN DOES NOT IMPACT MARKERS OF MUSCLE DAMAGE OR INFLAMMATION FOLLOWING AN MUSCLE DAMAGE PROTOCOL

Abstract

Gaven A. Barker1, Andrea Bryant1, Alyssa L. Parten1, Corey Grozier1, Matthew McAllister2, Hunter S. Waldman1. 1University of North Alabama, Florence, AL. 2Teaxs State, San Marcos, TX.

It is well documented that exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) decreases exercise performance via elevated inflammation and subjective discomfort. Due to its potent antioxidative properties, astaxanthin (AX) may serve as a potential dietary supplement strategy for mitigating delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and enhancing recovery and performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AX on markers of muscle damage, inflammation, DOMS, and anaerobic performance and substrate metabolism. Thirteen resistance trained men (mean±SD, age, 23.4±2.1 years) completed a double-blind, counterbalanced and crossover design with a 1-week washout period between two, 4-week supplementation periods at 12 mg/day-1 of AX or placebo. Following each supplementation period, subjects completed two trials, with trial one including a graded exercise test (GXT) and a 30-second Wingate, and trial two including an EIMD protocol followed by collection of fasting blood samples (pre-post) to measure creatine kinase (CK), advanced oxidative protein products, c-reactive protein, interleukin-6, insulin, and cortisol. AX supplementation had no statistical effects on markers of substrate metabolism during the GXT, Wingate variables, or markers of muscle damage, inflammation, or DOMS when compared to placebo (all p>0.05). However, 4-weeks of AX supplementation did significantly lower oxygen consumption during the final stage of the GXT (12%, p=0.02), as well as lowered systolic blood pressure (~7%, p=0.04), and significantly lowered baseline insulin values (~24%, p=0.05) when compared to placebo. Collectively, these data suggest that 4-weeks of AX supplementation at 12 mg/day-1 did not impact markers of muscle damage, inflammation, or DOMS following an EIMD protocol in a resistance-trained male cohort.

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