Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation affects tryptophan metabolism during a 12-week endurance training in amateur runners – a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The effects of long-term omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation during endurance training on tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and mental state of healthy individuals have not been evaluated so far. Concentrations of plasma Trp, its metabolites and IL-6 were assessed in 26 male runners before and after a 12-week training combined with supplementation of n-3 PUFAs (O-3 + TRAIN group) or medium chain triglycerides (MCTs; TRAIN group). Mood and stress tests were also performed. The effects of the same supplementation protocol were evaluated also in 14 inactive subjects (O-3 + SEDEN group). Concentrations of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and picolinic acid (PA) significantly increased only in the O-3 + TRAIN group (p = 0.01; η_p^2 = 0.22 and p = 0.01; η_(p )^2= 0.26). Favorable, but not statistically significant changes in the kynurenic acid (KYNA) (p = 0.06; η_(p )^2= 0.14), xanthurenic acid (XA) (p = 0.07; η_(p )^2= 0.13) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) (p = 0.06; η_(p )^2= 0.15) and ratio of neurotoxic to neuroprotective metabolites was seen also only in the O-3 + TRAIN group. No changes in results of mental state tests and IL-6 concentrations were observed in either group. Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs during endurance training has beneficial effects on Trp's neuroprotective metabolites.

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ORCID for Philip Calder: orcid.org/0000-0002-6038-710X

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