Effects of 30-day high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on plasma oxidative stress enzyme activities in recreational and trained runners : a pilot study

Martinšek, Bojan (avtor), Skitek, Milan (avtor), Kosjek, Tina (avtor), Bedrač, Leon (avtor), Benedik, Evgen (avtor)

Background: Physical activity induces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, at moderate levels mediate beneficial physiological adaptations, including insulin sensitivity and enhanced antioxidant defense. However, excessive ROS production during intense exercise may exceed endogenous antioxidant capacity, leading to oxidative stress and muscle damage. Objective: This study examined the effects of 30-day high-dose omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (9 g/day) on plasma fatty acid composition and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in recreational (n = 11) and trained (n = 10) runners, with emphasis on group- and time-specific responses. Methods: Plasma levels of arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were assessed at three time points: pre-, during, and post-supplementation period. Enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were measured at six time points, including before and after exercise sessions involving a 2800 m run followed by a 400 m sprint. Results: Omega-3 supplementation increased plasma EPA and DHA. In trained runners, it was associated with a transient reduction in GPx and a pronounced mid-phase decline in SOD, whereas enzyme activities remained stable in recreational runners. CAT activity did not change significantly in either group. Conclusions: Short-term high-dose omega-3 supplementation modulates antioxidant enzyme activity in a group- and time-dependent manner. The observed downregulation of GPx and SOD in trained runners may reflect altered redox signaling; however, its relevance for exercise performance remains uncertain. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the physiological and functional consequences of these findings.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: physical activity, running, reactive oxygen species, omega-3 fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FFA - Fakulteta za farmacijo
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2025
• Št. strani: Str. 1-17
• Številčenje: Vol. 17, issue 18, [article no.] 2985
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175615
• UDK: 577
• ISSN pri članku: 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu17182985
• COBISS.SI-ID: 250196483
• Datum objave v RUL: 06.11.2025

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Nutrients
• Skrajšan naslov: Nutrients
• Založnik: MDPI
• ISSN: 2072-6643
• COBISS.SI-ID: 2948140

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: omega-3 maščobne kisline, večkrat nenasičene maščobne kisline, katalaza, tek, telovadba, maščobne kisline

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P3-0395
• Naslov: Prehrana in javno zdravje

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P1-0143
• Naslov: Kroženje snovi v okolju, snovna bilanca in modeliranje okoljskih procesov ter ocena tveganja