Effects of 14-weeks betaine supplementation on pro-inflammatory cytokines and hematology status in professional youth soccer players during a competition season: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Table 2 Changes in cytokines levels during pre- mid- and post-season. Mean (M) ± standard deviation (SD)

Variables	Groups	Pre-Season	Mid-Season	Post-Season	Pre-Post Season		95% CI Hedge’s g
Variables	Groups	M ± SD	M ± SD	M ± SD	% Change	Hedge’s g	Lower	Upper
IL-6 (pg/mL)	BG	4.13 ± 0.65	3.60 ± 0.50^€	3.05 ± 0.55^#*	−26.1	−1.69 L	− 2.56	−0.83
IL-6 (pg/mL)	PG	4.20 ± 0.79	4.36 ± 0.69	4.49 ± 0.96	6.8	0.31 S	− 0.41	1.03
IL-1β (pg/mL)	BG	3.16 ± 0.68	2.69 ± 0.59^€	1.79 ± 0.63^#*	−40.2	−1.40 L	−2.23	−0.58
IL-1β (pg/mL)	PG	3.26 ± 0.86	3.59 ± 0.72	4.12 ± 1.15^*	26.1	0.79 M	0.05	1.54
TNF-α (pg/mL)	BG	8.85 ± 1.12	8.01 ± 0.92^€	6.70 ± 1.03^#*	−24.3	−1.89 L	−2.79	−1.00
TNF-α (pg/mL)	PG	8.91 ± 1.14	8.52 ± 1.23	8.24 ± 1.45	−7.5	−0.48 M	−1.21	0.24

BG Betaine Group, PG Placebo Group, IL-6 Interleukin-6, IL-1β Interleukin-1 beta, TNF-α Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, P1 Pre-season, P2 Mid-season, P3 Post-season, T Trivial, S Small, M Moderate, L Large
^€ significant difference compared to P1-P2 (p < 0.05);
^# significant difference compared to P2-P3 (p < 0.05);
^* significant difference compared to P1-P3 (p < 0.05)

ISSN: 1550-2783