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Carbohydrate supplementation and alterations in neutrophils, and plasma cortisol and myoglobin concentration after intense exercise

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Abstract

The present study examined the effect of carbohydrate supplementation on changes in neutrophil counts, and the plasma concentrations of cortisol and myoglobin after intense exercise. Eight well-trained male runners ran on a treadmill for 1 h at 85% maximal oxygen uptake on two separate occasions. In a double-blind cross-over design, subjects consumed either 750 ml of a 10% carbohydrate (CHO) drink or a placebo drink on each occasion. The order of the trials was counter-balanced. Blood was drawn immediately before and after exercise, and 1 h after exercise. Immediately after exercise, neutrophil counts (CHO, 49%; placebo, 65%; P<0.05), plasma concentrations of glucose (CHO, 43%; P<0.05), lactate (CHO, 130%; placebo, 130%; P<0.01), cortisol (CHO, 100%; placebo, 161%; P<0.01), myoglobin (CHO, 194%; placebo, 342%; P<0.01) all increased significantly. One hour post-exercise, plasma myoglobin concentration (CHO, 331%; placebo, 482%; P<0.01) and neutrophil count (CHO, 151%; placebo, 230% P<0.01) both increased further above baseline. CHO significantly attenuated plasma myoglobin concentration and the neutrophil count after exercise (P<0.01), but did not affect plasma cortisol concentration. The effects of CHO on plasma myoglobin concentration may be due to alterations in cytokine synthesis, insulin responses or myoglobin clearance rates from the bloodstream during exercise. Plasma cortisol responses to CHO during exercise may depend on the intensity of exercise, or the amount of CHO consumed. Lastly, cortisol appears to play a minor role in the mobilisation of neutrophils after intense exercise.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the athletes who participated in this study for their time and effort.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 4072, Brisbane, Queensland , Australia

    Jonathan Peake, Gary Wilson, Laurel Mackinnon & Jeff S. Coombes

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  1. Jonathan Peake
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  2. Gary Wilson
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  3. Laurel Mackinnon
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  4. Jeff S. Coombes
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Correspondence to Jeff S. Coombes.

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Peake, J., Wilson, G., Mackinnon, L. et al. Carbohydrate supplementation and alterations in neutrophils, and plasma cortisol and myoglobin concentration after intense exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 93, 672–678 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1248-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1248-5

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