Regulatory mechanisms of high-polyphenol dietary intervention on exercise-induced immunosuppression during high-intensity training periods in adolescent athletes: a systems biology analysis based on immune-metabolic pathways
摘要
Exercise-induced immunosuppression poses significant health risks for adolescent athletes during intensive training. This study investigated whether high-polyphenol dietary intervention could maintain immune homeostasis through immunometabolic reprogramming.
MethodsEighty adolescent athletes (aged 15—17) were randomized to receive either high-polyphenol supplementation (1200 mg/day: quercetin, EGCG, resveratrol, curcumin) or placebo during a 12-week high-intensity training period. Multi-omics profiling (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiomics) was performed at baseline, weeks 4, 8, and 12.
ResultsThe high-polyphenol group maintained CD4 + /CD8 + ratios above clinical thresholds (1.65 ± 0.29 vs. 1.38 ± 0.42, p < 0.001) at peak training. Regulatory T cells increased 17.2% while Th17 cells remained stable, yielding favorable Treg/Th17 ratios (3.09 ± 0.82 vs. 1.58 ± 0.54, p < 0.001). Multi-omics integration revealed 1,847 differentially expressed genes converging on NF-κB suppression, AMPK-mTOR activation, and Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses. Gut microbiome analysis showed doubled butyrate-producing bacteria and twofold increased short-chain fatty acid production. Salivary IgA declined only 6.5% versus 29.3% in placebo (p < 0.001).
ConclusionsHigh-polyphenol dietary intervention effectively prevents exercise-induced immunosuppression through coordinated immunometabolic reprogramming, establishing a practical strategy for maintaining immune resilience in adolescent athletes.