On the other hand, no harmful effects of BC supplementation were reported during the trial, therefore, BC supplementation seems to be relatively safe in the group free of an allergic reaction to BC. The ambiguous results of research on the benefit of BC supplementation may result from the selection of the research group, the period of supply, and the dose, as well as the lack of standardization of this supplement for the presence of active ingredients. was drawn and immune system indicators were examined. Plasma interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-2, IL-10, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, creatine kinase (CK MM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and WBC, lymphocyte (LYM), monocyte (MON), and granulocyte (GRA) were measured. A statistically significant change in IL-10 in response to the exercise program during the supplementation period in both groups was observed (p= 0.01). However, the results of the rest of the comparisons were statistically insignificant (p> 0.05). Contrary to our initial hypothesis, there were no significant effects of bovine supplementation on the dynamics of immune system function indicators. Keywords:supplementation, physical exercise, sport, bovine colostrum, immunologic, athletes == 1. Introduction == Athletes practicing competitive sports are much more prone to depression of the immune system compared to that in people practicing sports recreationally [1]. The phenomenon of exercise-induced immunosuppression is most often observed during intense or prolonged exercise or sports competitions [2]. Glesson et al. estimated that diseases of the upper respiratory tract in athletes account for 35% to 65% of all cases of illnesses not related to sports injuries. Drew et al. [3] conducted a survey of 211 athletes participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics. The authors noticed that female sex, low energy availability, and mental health were associated with sports incapacity due to illness (an illness was defined as an event that limited training or competition for greater hours in the prior month). The immune system maintains a relative balance that is responsible for the homeostasis of the organism. The antagonism between the cellular and humoral responses in the body underlies a phenomenon known as immunological polarization [4]. T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 helper cells mediate cellular and humoral immunity, respectively, and disturbance of Th1/Th2 balance leads to various immune abnormalities. Th1/Th2 balance is important for maintaining the immune health of the host [5]. Th1 cells promote resistance to intracellular pathogens and secrete cytokines related to, inter alia, host viral response. In contrast, Th2 cells promote response to extracellular pathogens and antagonize the production and activity of Th1 cytokines [6]. Thus, an altered Th1/Th2 balance may affect the hosts susceptibility to various immune-mediated diseases including allergy, autoimmunity, and an increased number of infections [7,8]. Maximum intensity physical effort, even in elite athletes, is an extreme stress factor that can cause damage not only to the muscular system but also to other tissues. In response to this type of damage, an organisms response can be observed, which is expressed both by an increase in pro- Mcl1-IN-2 and anti-inflammatory factors. In this very dynamic system, compensatory mechanisms appear, which aim at its stabilization. However, the maintenance of relative stabilization in the immune system may not be sufficient and, according to many authors, the equilibrium is shifted toward Th2 [9,10,11]. As a result of cellular immunosuppression, players are Mcl1-IN-2 more susceptible to infection and, therefore, it may result in both increased susceptibility of athletes to diseases (especially the upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)) and an increase in swelling and symptoms of overtraining [12,13]. The above changes can be observed primarily in the period of improved Mcl1-IN-2 exercise weight [2]. Sports competitions, especially those carried out at the highest level, require a huge amount of work from players. Basketball season lasts relatively long (about 8 weeks). Significant tensions faced from the players during this period (about 6 matches a month), exhausting travels (half of the games take Mcl1-IN-2 place outside the place of residence), and the related sleep disturbances and stress accompanying sports contests are important factors that may impact immunity [14]. Breaks in teaching due to illness may not only cause a temporary cessation of the training system but also exclude the rival from participation in the competition, therefore destroying his/her many years of preparation. Therefore, it seems advisable to find a method that could limit the effects of such a high effort weight and Rabbit Polyclonal to WEE2 limit the adverse changes observed after Mcl1-IN-2 exercise. Introducing bovine colostrum (BC), with recorded immunomodulatory activity [15], into the diet may be one of the elements of a mild and safe.