Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction supplementation improves metabolic balance, endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake in athletes

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 4-week Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF Gold; Bergamet Sport) supplementation on serum nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA), Endopat indices of endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake (V_ O2max) of athletes. Methods: The effects of dietary supplementation (BPF Gold, 650 mg twice a day for 4 weeks) and placebo administration on fl ow-mediated dilatation (via Endopat measurements), serum markers (NO, ADMA), lipid profi le, and V_ O 2max were analysed in 30 athletes both before and after dietary protocols. Results: Signifi cant differences between preand post-intervention baseline NO levels were observed after BPF Gold dietary protocol. Higher post-intervention baseline NO level was observed after BPF Gold diet compared with placebo. Moreover BPF Gold Sport increased baseline NO concentration (∆NO). The positive correlation was observed between baseline post-intervention NO concentration and maximal oxygen uptale and also between ∆NO and ∆VO2 max in response to BPF Gold supplementation. There was an association between a higher Edopat values of endothelial function and higher V O 2max after Bergamet Sport diet compared with lower values of placebo. Conclusion: These fi ndings suggest that an increase in NO release in response to BPF Gold Sport supplementation may play a central role in cardiovascular adaptive mechanisms and enhanced exercise performance in athletes. Research Article Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction supplementation improves metabolic balance, endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake in athletes Rocco Mollace1, Micaela Gliozzi2, Annamaria Tavernese2, Vincenzo Musolino2, Cristina Carresi2, Miriam Scicchitano2, Ernesto Palma2, Saverio Nucera2, Francesca Bosco2, Federica Scarano2, Francesca Oppedisano2, Alessia Maretta2, Jessica Maiuolo2, Saverio Muscoli1, Santo Gratteri1, Francesco Romeo1 and Vincenzo Mollace2* 1School of Cardiology, University of Roma “Tor Vergata”, Italy 2Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Italy *Address for Correspondence: Vincenzo Mollace, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health, Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Italy, Tel: 009274758007; Email: mollace@libero.it Submitted: 31 March 2018 Approved: 09 April 2018 Published: 10 April 2018 Copyright: 2018 Mollace V, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.