NAC Supplementation and Soccer Specific Performance

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04523675
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: August 21, 2020
• Last Update Posted: August 21, 2020
• Sponsor: University of Thessaly
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Ioannis G. Fatouros, University of Thessaly

Study Description

Brief Summary:

In this investigation the investigators utilized NAC supplementation to boost GSH availability during an one-week-microcycle consisting of three soccer games, in order to test the hypotheses that: i) antioxidant supplementation may enhance the recovery of performance and physiological stress variables following multiple match-plays and ii) redox status perturbations are critical in regulating the inflammatory response and repair in skeletal muscle, following repetitive exercise-induced muscle injuries.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Skeletal Muscle Damage; Exercise-induced Aseptic Inflammation; Skeletal Muscle Performance; Antioxidant Status	Dietary Supplement: N-acetylcysteine; Dietary Supplement: Placebo	Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

After exercise-induced muscle microtrauma the thiol/disulfide couple of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) is a key regulator of important transcriptional pathways that control the inflammatory response and recovery of skeletal muscle.

The objective was to examine how thiol-based antioxidant supplementation affects the muscle damage, oxidative stress, inflammatory and immune responses, as well as the level of post-game fatigue and muscle's recovery kinetics in response to three soccer games within a week. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: i) Experimental-NAC [EXP-NAC, N=10, participated in daily training sessions and three games and received NAC (20 mg/kg/day)], ii) Experimental-Placebo (EXP-Pla, N=10, participated in daily training sessions and three games and received Placebo), iii) Control-NAC [CON-NAC, N=10, participated in daily training sessions only and received NAC(20 mg/kg/day)] and iv) Control-Placebo (CON-Pla, N=10, participated in daily training sessions only and received Placebo). Blood samples were collected at baseline, post-games and daily during recovery. Performance was assessed at baseline and daily during recovery.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 40 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Official Title: Effects of NAC Supplementation on Immune Function, Inflammatory and Performance Responses of Elite Soccer Players Participated in Three Repetitive Games.
• Actual Study Start Date: April 2016
• Actual Primary Completion Date: July 2016
• Actual Study Completion Date: December 2016

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: EXP-NAC; Participated in daily training sessions and three games, and supplemented daily with N-acetylcysteine, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening),for seven consecutive days.	Dietary Supplement: N-acetylcysteine; Orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), at 20 mg/kg/day, for seven consecutive days.; Other Name: NAC
Experimental: EXP-Pla; Participated in daily training sessions and three games, and supplemented daily with Placebo, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days.	Dietary Supplement: Placebo; 500 mL drink that contained water (375 mL), sugar-free cordial (125 ml), and 2 g of low-calorie glucose/dextrose powder. Orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days.
Active Comparator: CON-NAC; Participated in daily training sessions only and supplemented daily with N-acetylcysteine, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening),for seven consecutive days.	Dietary Supplement: N-acetylcysteine; Orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), at 20 mg/kg/day, for seven consecutive days.; Other Name: NAC
Active Comparator: CON-Pla; Participated in daily training sessions only and supplemented daily with Placebo, orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days.	Dietary Supplement: Placebo; 500 mL drink that contained water (375 mL), sugar-free cordial (125 ml), and 2 g of low-calorie glucose/dextrose powder. Orally in three daily dosages (morning-midday-evening), for seven consecutive days.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Change in total antioxidant capacity in serum [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
2. Change in protein carbonyls in serum [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
3. Change in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
4. Change in reduced glutathione in red blood cells [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
5. Change in oxidized glutathione in red blood cells [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
6. Change in creatine kinase in activity in plasma [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
7. Change in white blood cell count in blood [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
8. Change in repeated sprint ability [ Time Frame: At baseline and daily throughout the study, up to 11 days ]
   Players' repeated sprint ability was assessed via a repeared sprint test. Each player performed 5 x 30 meters sprints interspersed by 25 seconds of active recovery. Sprint time was recorded by using infrared photoelectrical gates.
9. Change in high intensity running during the game [ Time Frame: During games 1, 2 and 3 ]
   High intensity running (i.e. > 14km/h) during the games was monitored by utilizing high time-resolution GPS devices.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Change in blood lactate concentration during the game [ Time Frame: During games 1, 2 and 3 ]
2. Change in average heart rate during the game [ Time Frame: During games 1, 2 and 3 ]

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years to 28 Years (Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: Male
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participation at elite level (top three division leagues) of soccer competition for at least five years
• Abstained from consumption of performance-enhancing supplements, antioxidant supplements and medications (for at least 6 months before and during the study)
• Participation in at least six two-hour training sessions and one match per week
• Non-smokers

Exclusion Criteria:

• A known NAC intolerance or allergy
• A recent febrile illness
• History of muscle lesion
• Lower limb trauma
• Metabolic diseases

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Greece

Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly

Tríkala, Greece, 42100

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Thessaly

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: IOANNIS G FATOUROS, Ph.D.; UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY, SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION & SPORTS SCIENCES

More Information

• Responsible Party: Ioannis G. Fatouros, Associate Professor, University of Thessaly
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04523675
• Other Study ID Numbers: NAC-SOCCER-2016
• First Posted: August 21, 2020
• Last Update Posted: August 21, 2020
• Last Verified: August 2020

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Inflammation; Pathologic Processes; Acetylcysteine; N-monoacetylcystine; Antiviral Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Expectorants; Respiratory System Agents; Free Radical Scavengers; Antioxidants; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Protective Agents; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Antidotes