Altered plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid profile in elite female water polo and football players

Abstract

The impact of chronic, intense exercise, such as in elite athletes, on phospholipids fatty acids (FA) composition has not been studied in women so far. This study aimed to investigate FA profiles in plasma and erythrocytes phospholipids in elite female water polo (N = 15) and football (N = 19) players in comparison with sedentary women. In spite of similar dietary patterns, as assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, plasma FA profile in the football players showed significantly higher proportions of stearic acid, oleic acid, and monounsaturated FA (MUFA), and significantly lower proportions of total and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) than in the water polo and control group. The water polo players had higher percentages of palmitoleic acid and arachidonic acid than the control subjects. Erythrocyte FA profile differed among groups. We found significantly higher proportion of oleic acid and MUFA in the football group than in the controls, and decreased stearic acid and elevated palmitic and palmitoleic acid in the water polo players than in the other 2 groups. Both groups of athletes had significantly lower percentages of n-6 dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, n-6 PUFA, and total PUFA compared with the controls. The estimated activities of elongase and desaturases in erythrocytes were also altered in the athletes. Our results indicate that long-term, intense physical training significantly affects FA status of plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids in women. The observed differences between the water polo and the football players suggest that the type of regular training may contribute to the altered metabolism of FA, although possible genetic differences among the 3 study groups cannot be ruled out.

Low Omega-3 Index in 106 German Elite Winter Endurance Athletes: A Pilot Study

“…Their mean HS-Omega-3 Index was 4·97 ± 1·19% (Table 2), lower than in German patients with established coronary artery disease CAD (5·94 ± 1·41%, von Schacky, 2014). Using a different analytical method, a small study in female athletes found no significant difference in EPA or DHA, as compared with healthy controls (Arsić et al, 2012). Based on current literature, the athletes we studied might have an elevated risk for sudden cardiac death or for fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction later in life.…”

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in health and disease

“…48,49 This is often found in elite athletes. [50][51][52] It was previously established that erythrocytes reflect the general FA metabolism in other organs and tissues. 53,54 A poor n-3 PUFAs status is often related to a low consumption of cold-water fish, as the primary source of EPA and DHA, and then to income status, national and social eating habits.…”

Long-Term Adaptations to Aerobic-Anaerobic Physical Training in the Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acids Profile

“…On the other hand, in sports like water polo, there was a decrease of stearic acid (18:0) and an increase of palmitic (16:0) and palmitoleic (16:1) acids among the sportsmen in comparison with those in the control and the football players groups [21].…”

“…Arsic [21] made a comparative analysis of fatty acid profiles in erythrocyte membranes among female football and water polo players in both similar energetic exercise modalities (aerobic-anaerobic); they found a significantly higher proportion of oleic acid (18:1C) in the football group than in the control group. In anaerobic sports, such as boxing, predominant lower values of linoleic acid (18:2:6) were registered in comparison with those in the control group [22].…”

“…However, the relationship between training and fatty acids behavior has been previously studied in female athletes, male water polo and adult football players [21] and it has been observed that long-term, intense physical training amends fatty acids profile, and, in the case of amateur boxers [22] causes significant modifications in saturated fatty acids.…”