1. Introduction
hemolysis, hyperthermia
HYPOGLYCEMIA, INFLAMMATION, HEMOLYSIS, OXIDATIVE STRESS
The use of herbal medicinal products and supplements in amateur and professional sports has increased in the last decades. This is because most of these products and supplements contain bioactive compounds with a variety of biological properties that exert a physiological effect on the human body. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of dietary supplementation with lyophilized black chokeberry extract on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hepcidin, and selected markers of iron metabolism in a group of young football players. This double-blind study included 22 male football players (mean = 19.96 ± 0.56), divided into two groups: supplemented and placebo. Before and after a 90-day period of training combined with supplementation (6 g of lyophilized black chokeberry extract), participants performed maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run tests at the beginning and at the end of the supplementation period, with blood sampled for analysis at different times before and after exercise. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, ferritin, myoglobin, hepcidin, 8-OHdG, albumin, and TAC were analyzed. The analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of 90-day supplementation with the lyophilized extract on changes in the IL-6 and IL-10 levels, and TAC induced by maximal aerobic effort. In conclusion, supplementation with lyophilized black chokeberry extract improves the performance and antioxidant status of serum in humans and induces protective changes in inflammatory markers.In recent years, the use of dietary interventions and herbal supplements by athletes has tremendously increased. That is because such interventions and supplements are increasingly available and, while they improve the physical performance of athletes, they are advertised as “substances not prohibited in sport”. Further, supplements from herbs or plants may enhance muscle growth and fat burning, or possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties [Regular intensive physical activity is accompanied by many physiological changes, such as dysregulation of the pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance, hyperthermia, hypoglycemia, hemolysis, and increased hepcidin expression [Oxidative stress is related to increased inflammation, which is strictly associated with iron metabolism [Most herbal products that are defined as “dietary supplements” contain concentrated juice; lyophilized or water/alcohol extracts of seeds, gums, roots, leaves, bark, berries, or flowers; and a number of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and polyphenols, including phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and others [Chokeberry (We hypothesized that an adequate intake of a lyophilized extract of black chokeberry may affect post-exercise plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10, and changes in iron metabolism parameters, and could be used to maintain the optimal antioxidant status in exercising well-trained individuals.