ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Exercise-induced muscle injury stimulates production of proinflammatory cytokines, e.g., TNF-α, resulting in impaired satellite-cell-dependent muscle regeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids emerge to possess anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to analyze the effect of omega-3 fish oil administration on the levels of TNF-α, MyoD and myogenin expressions of satellite cells after injury. Methods: Twenty-nine adult male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups. Except for control groups, the rats underwent single bout of downhill running exercise and three groups were given low-to-high doses of omega-3 fish oil administration 2 hours after exercise. Blood samples were collected after 24 hours to measure the concentration of TNF-α using ELISA and then the soleus muscles were surgically removed after 72 hours to measure mRNA expressions of MyoD and myogenin using RT-PCR. Results: The results showed lower serum levels of TNF-α (166.83 ± 16.15 vs. 132.83 ± 25.44, 125.00 ± 17.26, 99.66 ± 32.00 pg/mL) and higher expressions of MyoD (0.47 ± 0.19 vs. 0.64 ± 0.20, 1.17 ± 0.16, 1.07 ± 0.14) and myogenin (0.45 ± 0.10 vs. 1.82 ± 0.35, 1.50 ± 0.34, 0.76 ± 0.20) in groups given low-to-high doses of omega-3 fish oil supplementation, respectively, compared to exercise group with no supplement at 72 hours after exercise. Conclusion: Our study suggests that omega-3 fish oil supplementation following muscle injury may accelerate myogenin expression and a low dose of supplementation achieves optimal effect in promoting muscle regeneration. .