Abstract
The aim of the study was to verify if coupling 12 weeks of vitamin D supplementation and Nordic walking training favoured lowering the homocysteine (Hcy) level. Ninety-four elderly women were divided into three groups: Nordic walking (NW), supplemented (SG) and control (CG). The NW and SG groups received a weekly dose of 28,000 IU of vitamin D3. A blood analysis was performed at baseline, 1h after the first training session and at the end of the experiment. The amino acid profile (methionine and cysteine) and homocysteine concentration were determined. Additionally, the concentration of myokine was assessed. The first session of NW training reduced serum homocysteine, particularly among women with baseline homocysteine above 10 µmol·L−1: 12.37 ± 2.75 vs. 10.95 ± 3.94 µmol·L−1 (p = 0.05). These changes were accompanied by shifts in the cysteine (p = 0.09) and methionine (p = 0.01) concentration, regardless of the Hcy concentration. Twelve weeks of training significantly decreased the homocysteine (9.91 ± 2.78, vs. 8.90 ± 3.14 µmol·L−1, p = 0.05) and ferritin (94.23 ± 62.49 vs. 73.15 ± 47.04 ng·mL−1, p = 0.05) concentrations in whole NW group. Also, in the NW group, ferritin correlated with the glucose level (r = 0.51, p = 0.00). No changes in the myokine levels were observed after the intervention. Only the brain-derived neurotrophic factor dropped in the NW (42.74 ± 19.92 vs. 31.93 ± 15.91 ng·mL−1, p = 0.01) and SG (37.75 ± 8.08 vs. 16.94 ± 12.78 ng·mL−1, p = 0.00) groups. This study presents a parallel decrease of homocysteine and ferritin in response to regular training supported by vitamin D supplementation.
Highlights
An elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent and well-known predictor of civilization diseases
This study presents a parallel decrease of homocysteine and ferritin in response to regular training supported by vitamin D supplementation
Many independent studies have confirmed the active participation of this sulfhydryl-containing amino acid, which is an intermediate product in the normal biosynthesis of the amino acids methionine and cysteine, in the induction of the arteriosclerosis process [3] and cardiovascular incidents, including strokes [4]
Summary
An elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent and well-known predictor of civilization diseases. It has been shown that Hcy levels could be connected with neurodegenerative changes in the central nervous system, as an independent risk factor for conditions including Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases, and accompanying cognitive impairment and dementia. It has been reported that Hcy affects the bone remodeling processes, vascular blood flow, and the progression of bone diseases [6], including osteoporotic fractures [7]. An elevated level of Hcy is commonly observed in the elderly together with other pro-inflammatory indicators like an elevated level of body iron stores manifested by an increased level of serum ferritin [8,9]. The function of ferritin is to store iron and to protect cells from its toxicity [10]
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