Effect Of Sugar And Polyphenol Consumption On The Regeneration Of The Intestinal Barrier In Ultra-marathon Runners

PURPOSE: Exercise and the consumption of sugars have been demonstrated to result in a dysfunction of the intestinal barrier (IB). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of polyphenols and sugars on the regeneration of the intestinal barrier in ultra-marathon runners. METHODS: 20 participants (males and females) completed an ultra-marathon run (distance 160 to 240 km). In all participants the function of the intestinal barrier was determined before running (pre) and directly after finishing (post) by measuring serum endotoxin concentrations (LPS) as marker of intestinal barrier function. Immediately after finishing the runners consumed either 500 ml of water, diluted apple juice (test drink) containing 550 mg/l polyphenols and 57,5 g/l sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose) or a drink only containing an identical sugar mix (57,5 g/l sugar) but no polyphenols (placebo). Over a period of 180 min blood samples were taken and LPS was determined. RESULTS: In the 20 participants LPS increased significantly (p < 0.05) between pre (5 UE/ml) and post (12 UE/ml) exercise. In the water group serum LPS decreased about 90 % in the first 120 min after finishing. The LPS area under the curve (AUC) in the first 180 min after exercise in the placebo group (15.000 UE) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the AUC in the water (7.000UE) and the test drink group (10.000 UE). CONCLUSIONS: The ultramarathon resulted in a strong increase of serum LPS indicating an IB dysfunction. IB function regenerates very fast after the consumption of water whereas the intake of plain sugar (placebo) seems to have a negative impact on the IB regeneration which was diminished by the presence of polyphenols in the drink (test drink). Supported by: AIF 21925/I