The Effects of Black Mulberry Supplementation on Plasma Interleukin-6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Response to One Session Basketball Training in Female Basketball Players

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mulberry supplementation on two proinflammatory markers response, Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and performance after a session of strenuous exercise. Black Mulberry is a fruit rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins which have been proved to act as antioxidants in body. Materials and Methods: Fifteen female basketball players participated in Basketball Exercise Simulation Test (BEST). Blood samples were taken in three turns including before BEST, immediately and one hour after to measure Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) concentrations. After 3 days of recovery, the same participants consumed 300 mL of pulped Black Mulberry Juice for 10 days and participated again in the same exercise protocol and their blood samples were collected in the same three turns. During both exercise sessions, performance variables were recorded considering the number of goals and RPE. ANOVA and Bonferroni’s follow up tests were used for data analysis (α=0.05). Results: A significant increase in IL-6 concentration was seen immediately and one hour after BEST, before and after supplementation (P<0.05). The comparison of TNF-α concentration in six stages showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Analysis of Borg Test showed significant decrease after supplementation (P<0.05) but no significant results were shown in performance of participants (P<0.66).