The Effects of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol
glucoside (BSSG) Mixture on Selected Immune Parameters
of Marathon Runners: Inhibition of Post Marathon
Immune Suppression and Inflammation

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Int J Sports Med 1999 (May); 20 (4): 258–262

Bouic PJ, Clark A, Lamprecht J, Freestone M, Pool EJ,
Liebenberg RW, Kotze D, van Jaarsveld PP

Dept. Medical Microbiology,
Tygerberg, South Africa.
pjdb@maties.sun.ac.za

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A pilot study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the intake of capsules containing the plant sterols and sterolins (BSS:BSSG mixture) on selected immune parameters of volunteers participating in an ultra-marathon in Cape Town, South Africa. Those runners having received active capsules (n=9) showed less neutrophilia, lymphopenia and leukocytosis when compared to their counterparts having received placebo capsules (n=8): the placebo treated individuals showed significant increases in their total white blood cell numbers as well as in their neutrophils (p=0.03 and 0.03 respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant increases within lymphocyte subsets were observed in the runners having received the active capsules: CD3+ cells increased (p=0.02) as did CD4+ cells (p=0.03). In parallel, the BSS:BSSG capsules decreased the plasma level of IL6 in the runners using the active capsules (p=0.08) and significantly decreased the cortisol: DHEAs ratio (p=0.03), suggesting that these volunteers had less of an inflammatory response and were less immune suppressed during the post-marathon recovery period. These findings justify further investigations into the use of the phytosterols to prevent the subtle immunosuppression associated with excessive physical stress.

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