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The effect of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on inflammation, oxidative stress, and performance of recreational runners: study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

  • 2022-08-19
  • Trials 23(1)
    • Marzieh Nejati
    • Parvin Dehghan
    • Mostafa Khani
    • Parvin Sarbakhsh

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
34 recreational runners
Methods
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial; 500 mg TT supplement or placebo capsules twice daily for 2 weeks; both groups do HIIT workouts
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
2 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Background

High intensity and endurance exercises lead to exercise-induced oxidative stress (EIOS), exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and inflammation, which are the influencing factors on muscle soreness, localized swelling, and sports performance decrease. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Tribulus terrestris (TT) as an herbal supplement with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on the nutritional, oxidative, inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory status, as well as the sports performance of recreational runners.

Methods/design

This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, which will be conducted among recreational runners of Tabriz stadiums, Iran. Thirty-four recreational runners will be selected, and participants will be assigned randomly to two groups: to receive 500 mg TT supplement or placebo capsules twice daily for 2 weeks. Both groups will do high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts during the study. Baseline and post-intervention body composition, muscle pain, and aerobic and anaerobic performance will be assessed. In addition, assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), uric acid (UA), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), protein carbonyl (PC), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (MYO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) irisin, cortisol, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) will be done during three blood samplings. Changes in oxidative stress, anti/inflammatory biomarkers, and sports performance will be assessed as primary outcomes.

Discussion

This study will be the first to assess the potential effects of TT on recreational runners. Our results will contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding TT supplementation on the nutritional, oxidative, inflammatory, and anti-inflammatory status and sports performance in recreational runners.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( www.irct.ir ) (ID: IRCT20150205020965N8 ). Registration date: 13 February 2021.

Research Insights

  • Tribulus→Improved Athletic Performance

    Baseline and post-intervention body composition, muscle pain, and aerobic and anaerobic performance will be assessed.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    500 mg twice daily
  • Tribulus→Reduced Body Fat

    Baseline and post-intervention body composition … will be assessed.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    500 mg twice daily
  • Tribulus→Reduced Inflammation

    Changes in oxidative stress, anti/inflammatory biomarkers, and sports performance will be assessed as primary outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    500 mg twice daily
  • Tribulus→Reduced Muscle Damage Marker

    assessment of … creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (MYO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) … will be done during three blood samplings.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    500 mg twice daily
  • Tribulus→Reduced Muscle Pain

    Baseline and post-intervention body composition, muscle pain, and aerobic and anaerobic performance will be assessed.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    500 mg twice daily
  • Tribulus→Reduced Oxidative Stress

    Changes in oxidative stress, anti/inflammatory biomarkers, and sports performance will be assessed as primary outcomes.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    500 mg twice daily
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