PP040
SEX-SPECIFIC EFFECTS OF OMEGA-3 ON COLLAGEN TURNOVER AFTER ACUTE EXERCISE IN OLDER ADULTS
C. Herpich1,*, N. Jeschinowski1, L. Göger1, D. Li1, K. Norman1,2
1Department of Nutrition and Gerontology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Nuthetal, 2Department of Geriatrics and Medical Gerontology, Charité - Universitätmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Rationale: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) affect exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in older adults. Given sex-specific differences in muscle physiology, we investigated whether n-3 PUFA differentially impacted muscle damage and collagen turnover following EIMD in older women and men.
Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 43 older (mean age: 70 yr) adults received 5mL algae oil (2.2g PUFA) or placebo daily for eight weeks, followed by 100 unaccustomed eccentric leg extensions. Markers of muscle damage and collagen turnover were creatine kinase (CK) and hydroxyproline (HYP), measured at pre-exercise and over three days post-exercise. Trajectories were analyzed by repeated-measures ANOVA, adjusted for pre-exercise concentrations and plasma n-3 PUFA% index.
Results: Men demonstrated a greater muscle damage response, with CK peaking at 24h post-exercise (p<0.001) and remaining elevated at 72h. Women showed a trend for elevated CK (p=0.070) that returned to baseline by 48h (Fig. 1a). HYP trajectories differed by sex (Fig. 1b): in women HYP declined from baseline to 48h post-exercise (p=0.025), recovery by 72h, while in men HYP peaked 72h post-exercise (p=0.002). HYP trajectories were modulated by plasma n-3 PUFA% (p=0.035), with higher plasma n-3 PUFA% index being associated with higher post-exercise HYP concentrations in men (all p<0.05).
Figure 1. Trajectories of a. CK and b. HYP following. 0h indicating pre-exercise, 24, 48, 72h post-exercise. Repeated-measures ANOVA adjusted for baseline concentrations of CK/HYP and n-3 PUFA index. Data shown as mean and 95%CI.
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Conclusion: Our findings reveal significant sex-specific differences in muscle damage response and collagen turnover post-exercise. Plasma PUFA levels modulating HYP trajectories in men suggests sex-specific PUFA effects that in men result in enhanced ECM remodeling.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared