The Interactive Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation and Resistance Training on Selected Inflammatory Markers in Male Bodybuilders Serum

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Background and Objective: Astaxanthin supplement is known as the king of antioxidants.Intense exercise training causes muscle damage in athletes.In this study, the interventional effect of astaxanthin consumption, along with a period of resistance training in male bodybuilders, was investigated on changes in 1RM and inflammatory markers of TNF- and CKMM. Materials and Methods:The research was of an applied and semi-experimental type.Among the male bodybuilders of Shahrekord with at least two years of regular sports activity, 24 subjects were selected and divided into two groups of 12 (supplement and placebo).The two groups were homogeneous in terms of age (22.341.08 and 21.258.06years) and body mass index (27.802.25 and 78.861.24).The subjects participated in an eight-week resistance training program three days a week and received a capsule containing 12 mg of astaxanthin or placebo before 60-minute workouts.Blood samples were taken to measure inflammatory markers before taking the supplement and starting the workout, and 12 hours after taking the last capsule and at the end of the eight weeks.1RM was measured by performing squats to determine the effect of the exercises before and after taking the supplement.Changes in factors were examined using one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures in SPSS22 software (P 0.05).Results: With astaxanthin supplementation, TNF- levels decreased after resistance training, and a significant difference was observed between the two groups (2.38 vs. 3.28 pg/ml).In the supplement group, CKMM levels increased less than in the placebo group (166.33 vs. 239.5 ng/ml).1RM increased significantly in both groups compared to the pre-test, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (110.05vs.110.57kg). Conclusion:Taking astaxanthin supplements along with resistance training reduced the levels of muscle damage and inflammatory markers.