EFFECT OF AN INCREASED SUPPLEMENTATION OF EGG WHITE PROTEIN ON THE POST-EXERCISE LEUKOCYTE SUBSETS AND THE PLASMA IL-6 LEVELS IN MALE COLLEGIATE RUNNERS / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to compare the effect of the pre-exercise intake of a dry egg white protein supplement (86 kcal) on the post-exercise alterations in leukocytes and the plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in male collegiate runners. The 43 runners who participated in this study were divided into 2 groups, namely those with (E groups) and without (C groups) a 12,000 m pace run, and then they were further divided into 4 subgroups in which the subjects were given the 86 kcal nutrient supplemented including either 0, 5, 10, or 20 g protein from egg white. Peripheral blood samples were collected before supplementation (Pre), just after running (Post 0h), and at 1 h after running (Post 1h). The concentrations of the leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes in both groups E and C remained unchanged at Post 0 h. Furthermore, these concentrations increased significantly at Post 1 h. The lymphocytes were not significantly different at Pre. The plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher at Post 0 h than at Pre or Post 1 h. In addition, no effect of the protein supplementation on the leukocytes, leukocytes subsets, or the IL-6 concentrations was observed. These observations suggested that such isocaloric supplementation as described above may therefore be able to help control the changes in the concentrations of leukocyte and leukocyte subsets immediately after running a 12,000 m time trial.