Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation and plasma total antioxidant capacity after acute resistance exercise in young male athletes

Antioxidant supplementation may decrease exercise-induced oxidative stress in athletes. Considering the type of exercise، dose and kind of supplementation the results of the studies in this field are inconsistent. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation and plasma total antioxidant capacity after acute resistance exercise in athletes. In this randomized double blind clinical trial، twenty healthy subjects were divided into two groups; omega-3 (n=10) and placebo (n=10) groups. Each subject in omega-3 group received 3 capsules of omega-3 (3000 mg) per day and placebo group received the same number of placebo capsules per day for a period of 7 day. All subjects of both groups performed high intensity acute resistance exercise. Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein 1 week prior to the exercise، immediately pre-exercise and 24 hours post-exercise for determination of the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and plasma total antioxidant capacity. Data were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA at α ≤ 0. 05. Serum malondialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in placebo than omega-3 group (P=0. 005) 24 hours after exercise. Moreover، comparison of the mean values of total antioxidant capacity in both groups showed no significant differences in pre-exercise and 24 h post- exercise stages (P>0. 005). The results of this study indicated that consumption of omega-3 fatty acid supplements might prevent any increase in the serum level of malondialdehyde after high intensity resistance exercise. Therefore، it may be useful for prevention of oxidative stress-induced damage in young male athletes.