Fatty acids composition in erythrocyte membranes of athletes after one and after a series of whole body cryostimulation sessions.

Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is a treatment often used by athletes as part of biological renewal. Despite the large interest in this form therapy there is still a lack of information on the effects of WBC on the concentration of fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes. Our study aimed at comparing the fatty acids (FA) composition of erythrocyte membranes of athletes after one session and after a series of sessions of whole body cryostimulation. In our study small changes in the level of total cholesterol (decrease) were observed 24 h after a single session. After the twelfth session of whole body cryostimulation, the level of saturated fatty acids (SFA), mainly palmitic acid (C16:0) and n-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5n-3) increased almost two-times fold in the red blood cell membranes. The level of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA n-6), mainly gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3n-6) as well as trans fatty acids (elaidic acid) decreased in the erythrocyte membranes from men after a series of session in a cryochamber, when compared to the control sample. The n-3/n-6 FA ratio in the erythrocyte membranes was higher after twelfth session in a cryochamber in comparison to the control sample. The data obtained during our study will be important for further research regarding the biochemistry of lipids in men after sessions of whole body cryostimulation.