Serum levels of bone formation and resorption markers in relation to vitamin D status in professional gymnastics and physically active men during upper and lower body high-intensity exercise

Jan Mieszkowski,Andrzej Kochanowicz,Krzysztof Buśko,Joanna Siódmiak,Elżbieta Piskorska,Jędrzej Antosiewicz,Bartłomiej Niespodziński,Blazej Stankiewicz,Dorota Olszewska-Słonina

doi:10.1186/s12970-021-00430-8

Abstract

Purpose/introductionTo compare serum levels of bone turnover markers in athletes and non-athletes, and to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and exercise-induced changes in biomarker levels.MethodsSixteen elite male artistic gymnasts (EG; 21.4 ± 0.8 years-old) and 16 physically active men (the control group, PAM; 20.9 ± 1.2 years-old) performed lower and upper body 30-s Wingate anaerobic tests (LBWT and UBWT, respectively). For biomarker analysis, blood samples were collected before, and 5 and 30 min after exercise. Samples for vitamin D levels were collected before exercise. N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) was analysed as a marker of bone formation. C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) was analysed as a marker of bone resorption.ResultsUBWT fitness readings were better in the EG group than in the PAM group, with no difference in LBWT readings between the groups. UBWT mean power was 8.8% higher in subjects with 25(OH)D3 levels over 22.50 ng/ml and in those with 24,25(OH)2D3 levels over 1.27 ng/ml. Serum CTX levels increased after both tests in the PAM group, with no change in the EG group. PINP levels did not change in either group; however, in PAM subjects with 25(OH)D3 levels above the median, they were higher than those in EG subjects.ConclusionVitamin D metabolites affect the anaerobic performance and bone turnover markers at rest and after exercise. Further, adaptation to physical activity modulates the effect of anaerobic exercise on bone metabolism markers.

Highlights

Physical exercise affects the osseous tissue by causing dynamic changes in the local mechanical conditions, stimulating the resident osteocytes through fluid shifts in the canalicular network [1]
We demonstrated that adaptation to exercise and status of vitamin D modulated the response to exercise
The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D status on changes in the serum PINP and CTX levels induced by Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) in highly trained athletes and untrained young men

Summary

Introduction

Physical exercise affects the osseous tissue by causing dynamic changes in the local mechanical conditions, stimulating the resident osteocytes through fluid shifts in the canalicular network [1]. Whenever a mechanical load is imposed on the osseous tissue, it induces an osteogenic response and activation of specific bone cell types (osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and osteocytes) [2]. The human bone mass is evaluated using Xrays and by densitometry. These two methods are well known and widely used. They do not reflect the status of the bone as a living tissue, as they only analyse bone microarchitecture and location. Products of bone cell activity serve as markers of bone formation, and their levels reflect the bone cell function under specific circumstances, e.g. physical activity [6]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion