The Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Composition of Erythrocyte Membranes

The Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Composition of Erythrocyte and Neuromuscular System in Athletes

Therefore, the aim of our project will be to assess the impact of omega-3 fatty acid on the neuromuscular system (muscle tensomyography- TMG), the composition and fluidity of erythrocyte cell membranes, the lipid profile and the antioxidant status of the blood.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Healthy Volunteers
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: ALA supplements; Dietary supplement: EPA/DHA supplements; Dietary supplement: Placebo supplements

Detailed Description

The ability of skeletal muscles to generate force and resist fatigue is essential for athletic performance. Training adaptations within the neuromuscular system and skeletal muscles modulate the muscles' ability to produce force and resistance to fatigue. Much research has been conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplements on skeletal muscle adaptation to strength training (e.g., protein supplementation) and methods to support endurance performance (e.g., carbohydrate loading). However, limited research has been conducted to date on the effects of dietary supplements on the neuromuscular system.The research will focus on the effect of 4 and 8 weeks of supplementation with high doses of omega 3 fatty acids on the level of omega 3/omega6 fatty acids, the level of TRANS fatty acids and AA (arachidonic acid) fatty acid using a mixed diet. Additionally, we will examine the effect of this supplementation on the neuromuscular system (muscle tensomyography -TMG), the composition and fluidity of erythrocyte cell membranes, the lipid profile and the antioxidant status of the blood. The research will use innovative assumptions - high doses of omega 3 fatty acids. Additionally, a new laboratory tool will be used to assess the level of individual fatty acids (omega 3, omega 6) in the blood, the level of which shows or excludes latent inflammation in the body.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 200
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Poland
  • Katowice, Poland, 40-065
    • Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

**Inclusion Criteria:**

• Male participants aged 20-40 years.
• Apparently healthy individuals, as determined by medical history and self-reported health status.
• Physically active, engaging in regular physical activity at least 3 times per week for the previous 6 months.
• Following a mixed diet.
• Willingness to maintain habitual dietary and physical activity patterns throughout the study.
• Willingness to refrain from consuming dietary supplements other than those provided as part of the study.

**Exclusion Criteria:**

• Current use of dietary supplements within 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Following a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic, high-carbohydrate, vegetarian, or vegan diet.
• Presence of gastrointestinal disorders affecting nutrient absorption, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or other clinically significant gastrointestinal conditions.
• History of cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, hepatic, renal, neurological, or autoimmune diseases.
• Current use of medications known to affect lipid metabolism, inflammation, antioxidant status, or cognitive function.
• Known allergy or intolerance to study supplements or their ingredients.
• Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 3 months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: AL (Alpha-linolenic acid) supplementation; Participants were randomly assigned to the ALA supplementation group. After 4 weeks of the supplementation, there was a 12-week wash-out period, after which the participants crossed over to the EPA /DHA group.	Dietary supplement: ALA supplements; The supplement will be administered in a dose of 4 capsules twice a day for 4 weeks. Daily dose will contain 3500mg ALA.
Experimental: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)/DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation; Participants were randomly assigned to the EPA/DHA supplementation group. After 4 weeks of the supplementation, there was a 12-week wash-out period, after which the participants crossed over to the ALA group.	Dietary supplement: EPA/DHA supplements; The supplement will be administered in a dose of 4 capsules twice a day for 4 weeks. Each capsule will contain 330mg EPA and 220mgDHA.; Other Names: Placebo supplementation; EPA/DHA supplementation; ALA supplementation
Placebo Comparator: Placebo supplementation; Participants were randomly assigned to the Placebo group. After 4 weeks of the supplementation, there was a 12-week wash-out period, after which they repeated the placebo supplementation.	Dietary supplement: Placebo supplements; The supplement will be administered in a dose of 4 capsules twice a day for 4 weeks. One capsule will contain 550 mg of olive oil. The placebo will be matched to the supplement in appearance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Omega 3 index	The Omega-3 Index (%) determines the content of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) relative to total fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes. It is expressed as a percentage and reflects long-term fatty acid intake. Unit of Measure: %	4-weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Tensiomyography (TMG) Parameters	2a. Maximal Radial Displacement (Dm) Unit of Measure: mm 2b. Contraction Time (Tc) Unit of Measure: ms 2c. Delay Time (Td) Unit of Measure: ms 2d. Sustain Time (Ts) Unit of Measure: ms 2e. Half-Relaxation Time (Tr) Unit of Measure: ms Description: Muscle contractile properties assessed using tensiomyography (TMG-BMC system).	4-weeks
Corsi Block-Tapping Test - Unweighted Block Span	Description: Maximum correctly reproduced sequence length in Corsi Block-Tapping Test. Unit of Measure: blocks	4-weeks
Corsi Block-Tapping Test - Block Time	Description: Reaction time performance in visuospatial working memory assessed using Corsi Block-Tapping Test. Unit of Measure: ms	4 weeks
Corsi Block-Tapping Test - Reverse Span Score	Description: Working memory performance assessed using reverse span condition of Corsi Block-Tapping Test. Unit of Measure: score	4 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Total Antioxidant Status (TAS)	Description: Plasma total antioxidant status measured using Randox TAS kit. Unit of Measure: mmol/L	4 weeks
Malondialdehyde (MDA) Concentration	Description: Plasma malondialdehyde concentration measured using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method. Unit of Measure: nmol/mL	4 weeks
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity	Description: Activity of superoxide dismutase in red blood cell lysates measured using Randox kits. Unit of Measure: U/g Hb	4 weeks
Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) Activity	Description: Activity of glutathione peroxidase in red blood cell lysates measured using Randox kits. Unit of Measure: U/g Hb	4 weeks
Body Mass	Description: Body mass measured using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Unit of Measure: kg	4 weeks
Body Fat Percentage	Description: Body fat percentage measured using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 770). Unit of Measure: %	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
• Investigators: Study Director: Małgorzata Magdalena Michalczyk, Phd, Institute of Sport Sciences, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 18, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Oxidative stress; Body composition; DHA; Omega-3 fatty acids; Cognitive function; Tensiomyography; EPA; Neuromuscular function; Alpha-linolenic acid
• Other Study ID Numbers: 4-II/2024; 2024/53/B/NZ7/02257 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Narodowe Centrum Nauki); RID/SP/0053/2024/01 (Other Identifier: The Regional Initiative of Excellence programme)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Anonymised data will be available upon reasonable request.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No