Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the most sensitive of inflammatory marker the predictive of cardiovascular diseases (hs-CRP & IL-6) after aerobic exercise

Scientific evidence indicates the impact of aerobic exercise and omega-3 fatty acids - both –are for the improvement of the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the most sensitive of inflammatory marker the predictive of cardiovascular diseases (hs-CRP & IL-6) after aerobic exercise in elderly men. The statistical sample for this experimental study consisted of 36 male non-athletes in the age range of 57.37±3.37 years. They were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: exercise with omega-3 supplements, exercise with placebo, omega-3 supplementation, and placebo intake. The 8-weeks aerobic exercise program included 3 sessions per week with pre-determined duration and intensity (55-70% HRmax). Daily dosage of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was 2000 mg. Blood samples were taken after 14 hours of fasting before the study and 48 hours after the last training session. Data were analyzed by Kolmogrov-Smirnov, One-Way Anova, t-test at significance level of α ≤0.05. The results showed that after 8 weeks, Only in hs-CRP levels of omega-3 supplement group was associated with decreased significantly (p≤0.05). Omega 3 supplement+ aerobic exercise group, aerobic exercise+placebo group and omega-3 supplement group reduced levels of inflammatory markers, which was not statistically significant(p≥0.05). Also in final of research did not showed a significant difference between groups(p≥0.05). So, we can say that omega-3 supplementation decreased significantly the inflammatory marker hs-CRP in omega-3 supplement group. However, the interaction effect of 8 weeks of aerobic exercise and omega-3 supplementation could not create a significant decrease in hs-CRP and IL-6. It seems that significant changes in the most sensitive of inflammatory marker the predictive of cardiovascular diseases may depend on the duration and intensity of exercise and the amount of omega-3 supplementation that further studies need to demand that.