Effect of intense physical exercise on hepcidin levels and selected parameters of iron metabolism in rowing athletes.

Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn,Łucja Szcześniak-Pilaczyńska,Jerzy Trzeciak,Piotr Basta

doi:10.1007/s00421-014-3018-3

Abstract

PurposePhysical exercise, especially intense physical exercise, causes a number of unfavorable changes, including an increase in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines with the resultant sequestration of iron in macrophages and decreased iron absorption. This can lead to a reduced supply of iron for erythroid progenitor cells and promote the development of anemia.MethodThis study included a group of 20 rowing athletes, members of the National Polish Rowing Team. The participants performed a 2,000-m maximum test on a rowing ergometer. Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein prior to the exercise test, 1 min after completing the test, and after a 24-h recovery period. We determined the levels of hepcidin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α, soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, unbound iron-binding capacity, iron, red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, creatine kinase, and myoglobin.ResultThe high-intensity exercise test caused significant changes in hepcidin levels, IL-6, and iron metabolism parameters, with their subsequent return to baseline values during the recovery period. The serum iron levels decreased significantly during the recovery compared with pre- and post-exercise levels.ConclusionThese results suggest that the high-intensity ergometric test was reflected by a marked decrease in serum level of iron during the recovery period, but did not induce concomitant changes in the remaining erythrocyte parameters.

Highlights

Physical exercise, especially in competitive sports, is characterized by considerable strain for an athlete, and causes faster ageing of the erythrocytes
An increase in iron levels is associated with enhanced synthesis of hepcidin, a peptide that inhibits the secretion of iron from enterocytes and its release to plasma from monocytes and macrophages
The values of blood parameters that indicate iron metabolism in the studied athletes are presented in Table 4 and Fig. 1 (a: iron, b: ferritin, and c: hepcidin)

Summary

Introduction

Especially in competitive sports, is characterized by considerable strain for an athlete, and causes faster ageing of the erythrocytes. The same authors documented a very strong inverse correlation (r = −0.911, p < 0.05) between hemolysis and the levels of spectrin, a peripheral protein of the erythrocyte membrane that is expressed on its internal surface and forms the cytoskeleton. These findings support the hypothesis that structural alterations of erythrocyte membranes increase the susceptibility of these cells to hemolysis, which results in elevated plasma levels of free iron. Recent studies have revealed that hepcidin plays a pivotal role in the regulation of iron homeostasis, reducing its transport and absorption This process is likely driven by the presence of enhanced hemolysis and acute phase response. Detailed analysis of exercise-induced changes in iron metabolism becomes vitally important

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