The effect of massage with resveratrol and pomegranate seed oil on fatigue, antioxidant and immune parameters after an acute exercise

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of massage application with Resveratrol and Pomegranate Seed Oil, alone and in combination, on fatigue, antioxidant and immune parameters after an acute eccentric exercise that will cause fatigue. Materials and methods: Participants in the study were male individuals between the ages of 19 and 26 who had been regularly participating in amateur sports for at least three years. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: control and experimental groups. To induce exercise-induced muscle damage, participants performed 10x10 repetitions of plyometric drop jumps. The massage protocol included baby oil for the control group (C, N=7), and resveratrol (RES, N=7), pomegranate seed oil (NCY, N=7), or a mixture of resveratrol and pomegranate seed oil (RES+NCY, N=7). Blood samples were taken six times: before exercise, immediately after exercise, after massage, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours. CK, LDH, MDA, ALT, AST, ÜA, IL-6, TNF-α, SOD, CRP and serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA and IgM) levels were analyzed from the serum samples obtained. Data were analyzed using the IBM Statistics (SPSS version 25.0, Armonk, NY) package program. Results: The findings showed that CK and LDH levels were lower particularly in the RES and RES+PSO groups during the late recovery period, while decreases in MDA and uric acid levels and a more balanced SOD response were observed. Although no statistically significant differences were found in ALT and AST parameters between groups, effect size analyses revealed a large effect for ALT and a moderate effect for AST. Lower TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels were detected in the RES and RES+PSO groups during the early recovery phase, whereas limited time- and group-dependent changes were observed in IgA, IgG, and IgM parameters. Despite the lack of statistical significance in some parameters, the presence of medium to large effect sizes indicated that the observed changes were practically meaningful. Conclusion: In conclusion, the massage applied with RES and especially with the RES+PSO combination after acute eccentric exercise produced pronounced effects in controlling and improving muscle damage, oxidative stress, and immune system parameters, whereas PSO alone exhibited more limited and variable effects.