The Effect of 4 Wk of Oral Echinacea Supplementation On Serum Erythropoietin and Indices of Erythropoietic Status
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2007
Department
Human Performance and Recreation
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether echinacea supplementation results in alterations of erythroid growth factors and erythropoietic status. Twenty-four men age 24.9 +/- 4.2 y, height 1.7 +/- 0.8 m, weight 87.9 +/- 14.6 kg, and 19.3% +/- 6.5% body fat were grouped using a double-blind design and self-administered an 8000-mg/d dose of either echinacea (ECH) or placebo (PLA) in 5 x 400 mg x 4 times/d for 28 d. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for red blood cells (RBCs), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin content, prostaglandin E (2), ferritin, erythropoietin (EPO), interleukin 3 (IL-3), and granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor using automated flow cytometry and ELISA. ANOVA was used to determine significant differences (P <= 0.05). EPO was greater (P < 0.001) in ECH at Days 7, 14, and 21 and reflected a 44%, 63%, and 36% increase, respectively. IL-3 was greater (P = 0.011) in ECH at Days 14 and 21, which indicated a 65% and 73% increase, respectively. These data indicate that ECH supplementation resulted in an increase in EPO and IL-3 but did not significantly alter RBCs, Hb, or Hct.
Publication Title
International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
Volume
17
Issue
4
First Page
378
Last Page
390
Recommended Citation
Whitehead, M. T.,
Martin, T. D.,
Scheett, T. P.,
Webster, M. J.
(2007). The Effect of 4 Wk of Oral Echinacea Supplementation On Serum Erythropoietin and Indices of Erythropoietic Status. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 17(4), 378-390.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/1951