The effect of pomegranate juice supplementation on muscle damage, oxidative stress and inflammation induced by exercise in healthy young men

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological evidence has shown that antioxidant supplements may play an important role in preventing exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress. Recent years, some researchers have shown high levels of unique compounds in pomegranate polyphenol antioxidants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of natural pomegranate juice on oxidative stress, muscle damage and inflammation induced by exercise in healthy young men. Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 30 healthy young men who exercised 3 times a week and were eligible for the study. They were randomly divided into two experimental (supplement) and control (placebo) groups. Experimental group received a daily cup of 250 ml of natural pomegranate juice, prepared by the researcher, and the control group received a daily cup of 250 ml of placebo, for 8 weeks at the same time. Blood samples were collected after at least 8 hours of fasting to assess indicators of muscle damage including creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipid peroxidation including malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammation including C-reactive protein (CRP), at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired and independent-samples t test. Findings: Following 8 weeks of consumption of pomegranate juice, MDA levels decreased from 1.5 to 1.1 μmol/l in pomegranate group and increased from 1.5 to 1.7 μmol/l in control group. The change of this indicator was significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.047). Changes in LDH, CRP and CK were not significant in any of the groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest potential beneficial effects of pomegranate juice in strengthening the antioxidant defense system and reducing oxidative stress. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.