The use of probiotics is recommended for maintaining the immunological health of endurance athletes, however the effects of probiotics on athletes immune cells function is still unclear PURPOSE:Investigate the effect of probiotics utilization in phagocytic function of neutrophils from marathon runners
METHODS:Twenty seven male marathoners were double-blind randomly assigned to either a probiotic group(PR) (PR=14; 35,96 ± 5,81years,79,30 ±10,99Kg; time of trial, 4:04 hours ± 22.55 minutes) or placebo(PL) (PL=13 40,46 ± 7,79years, 72,67 ±10,20Kg, time of trial, 4:53 hours ± 1h:15minutes). PR consumed during 30 days a sachet containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis (10x109UFC + maltodextrin 5g/day) while PL received a sachet with maltodextrin (5g/day). Phagocytic function of neutrophils were assessed by specific phagocytosis kit (Vybrant /Thermo Fisher®) after blood cell neutrophil isolation. The measures were evaluated before the supplementation period (B), one day before the race (1D),and one hour after race (1H).Data were analyzed in SPSS version25® using ANOVA two way with repeated measures, “group” and “time” as factors, and Tukey’s post-hoc test (p< 0.05).RESULTS:The statistical analyses showed significant differences among the times. The PL group showed significant decrease of phagocytic function when compared basal with other times (B: 32.46±14.47;1D:10.14±3.08;1H:8.15±4.65) and the same behavior was seen in the probiotic group with a significant decrease of phagocytic function when compared the basal with others times (B:25.96±10.21;1D:8.59±4.33; 1H:8.07±2.29).Between groups no differences was observed.CONCLUSIONS:Thirty days of probiotic (Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis (10x109UFC/day) supplementation was not able to cause alterations in neutrophil phagocytic function. These results may change regarding other immune cells population and with prolonged use or higher dosages of probiotic. Financial Support: CNPq, CAPES/PROEX