Background
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has been reported to positively influence markers of inflammation and exercise recovery, including decreasing muscle soreness and fatigue. Acute exercise induces tissue damage that results in sterile inflammation that is propagated by secreted mediators such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Regulation of the inflammatory response is critical as chronic inflammation is associated with a plethora of diseases. In addition to the exercise recovery, MSM has also been reported to reduce inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and allergy. Based on these data we designed a pilot study to determine the effect of MSM on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) - induced inflammatory mediators after a single bout of acute eccentric exercise.