The Effects of Omega-3 and Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation on Serum Apoptosis Markers Following Acute Resistance Exercise in Old Men.

The potential benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) supplements on exercise-induced apoptosis are not clear. In a crossover randomized study, 11 men (age 62.8 ± 2.2 y) performed an acute bout of resistance exercise and underwent one-week supplementation with either 20 grams BCAA or 2700 mg omega-3/day. Subjects performed the same exercise after supplementation protocols. Following a three-week washout period, subjects switched groups. Circulating levels of soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), cytochrome c, Bax, BCL-2, and NF-kB were measured before and immediately after exercise sessions. sFasL, cytochrome c, and Bax increased after exercise. Simple main effect of time on sFasl was significant in control trial but not omega-3 and BCAA trials. There were no differences in NF-kB and BCL-2 between control and supplement trials. This study showed that adding omega-3 fatty acids or BCAA to the dietary regime of old men could partially attenuate resistance exercise-induced apoptosis.