The effect of caffeine supplementation and exhausting exercise on inflammatory factors in hot environments

Introduction: Caffeine, with its energizing and anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to increasing athletic performance, can reduce the exercise-induced inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of caffeine supplementation and exhausting exercise on inflammatory factors in hot environments. Methods: Thirty male athletes with a mean age of 26.6 ± 3.9 years in dehydrated conditions voluntarily participated in this study, which was performed in a double-blind manner. Subjects were divided into three groups: caffeine consumption group (n = 10), placebo group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). Caffeine group consumed 6 mg/kg body weight of caffeine. Sixty minutes later, the subjects performed an increasingly exhausting exercise. Results: The results showed that immediately after exercise, the levels of IL1B, TNFα and IL6 were significantly higher than the control group (p≥0.001). The caffeine group experienced a greater increase in IL6 (p≥0.001) and IL1B (p≥0.05) and a smaller increase in TNFα compared to the sham group (p≥0.001). Also, hs-CRP levels were significantly higher than baseline in the exercise group (p≥0.001). Conclusion: maximal exercise in hot environments and dehydration status increases the release of inflammatory markers that appear to be moderated by caffeine consumption. Also, caffeine use is associated with faster recovery of inflammatory status.