Effects of quercetin supplementation on markers of muscle damage and inflammation after eccentric exercise

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2012 Dec;22(6):430-7. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.22.6.430. Epub 2012 Jul 4.

Abstract

The flavonoid quercetin is purported to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study examined if quercetin supplementation attenuates indicators of exercise-induced muscle damage in a double-blind laboratory study. Thirty healthy subjects were randomized to quercetin (QU) or placebo (PL) supplementation and performed 2 separate sessions of 24 eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Muscle strength, soreness, resting arm angle, upper arm swelling, serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, plasma quercetin (PQ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed before and for 5 d after exercise. Subjects then ingested nutrition bars containing 1,000 mg/d QU or PL for 7 d before and 5 d after the second exercise session, using the opposite arm. PQ reached 202 ± 52 ng/ml after 7 d of supplementation and remained elevated during the 5-d postexercise recovery period (p < .05). Subjects experienced strength loss (peak = 47%), muscle soreness (peak = 39 ± 6 mm), reduced arm angle (-7° ± 1°), CK elevations (peak = 3,307 ± 1,481 U/L), and arm swelling (peak = 11 ± 2 mm; p < .0001), indicating muscle damage and inflammation; however, differences between treatments were not detected. Eccentric exercise did not alter plasma IL-6 (peak = 1.9 pg/ml) or CRP (peak = 1.6 mg/L) relative to baseline or by treatment. QU supplementation had no effect on markers of muscle damage or inflammation after eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / blood
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Antioxidants / adverse effects
  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Arm
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Edema / etiology
  • Edema / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Foods, Specialized* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength
  • Myalgia / etiology
  • Myalgia / prevention & control
  • Myositis / blood
  • Myositis / etiology
  • Myositis / physiopathology
  • Myositis / prevention & control*
  • Quercetin / adverse effects
  • Quercetin / blood
  • Quercetin / therapeutic use*
  • Resistance Training / adverse effects*
  • Snacks
  • Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Quercetin