Resveratrol exerts no effect on inflammatory response and delayed onset muscle soreness after a marathon in male athletes.

OBJECTIVE We investigated whether the inflammatory response and delayed onset of muscle soreness after a marathon are altered by resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid antioxidant. DESIGN Double blind placebo-controlled randomised pilot study. SETTING London Marathon. PARTICIPANTS Marathon race participants. INTERVENTIONS 7 healthy male athletes were randomised to receive Resveratrol (600 mg Resveratrol daily for 7 days immediately before the marathon) or a placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Blood samples taken 48 hours before and 18-32 hours after the marathon were analysed for white blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP). A VAS score was taken at the same times as the blood samples to assess delayed onset muscle soreness. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of changes occurring between pre- and post- tests for WBC, CRP or VAS. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in immune response or delayed onset muscle soreness between resveratrol and placebo after a marathon. Further investigations are needed with longer treatment time and higher doses, analysing additional parameters such interleukins for a possible effect of resveratrol on the inflammatory response due to extensive exercise. To avoid a type II error, 17 subjects in each group would be required.