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Changes in erythropoiesis, iron metabolism and oxidative stress after half-marathon

  • Internal Medicine
  • Original Article Haematology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Objective

In marathon runners changes in red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin in relation to haemodilution have been reported. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that strenous exercise induces oxidant stress through several different mechanisms. This study investigated the haematological variables, iron status and oxidative indices before, immediately and 48 h after a race in 8 healthy trained males aged 33–44 years running a 21-km marathon in 79±3 min.

Methods

The haematological parameters were determined by standard procedures. Erythropoietin and soluble-transferrin receptor were evaluated immunoenzymatically. Nontransferrin-bound iron (NTBI) was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography after nitrilotriacetic acid chelation. Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration was assayed colorimetrically.

Results

The total number of reticulocytes rose significantly after the run with a significant increase in the high-RNA-content fraction (14±5, p<0.0006). Erythropoietin rose by 26% (15.0±2.8 mU/ml, p<0.004) and by 25% (14.9±2.13 mU/ml, p<0.02) immediately and 48 h after the race, respectively. Serum iron and serum ferritin remained unchanged but NTBI and serum MDA increased significantly immediately after running (1.16±0.40 m mol/l, p<0.0008; 0.76±0.16 mmol/p, p<0.0001). Significant positive correlations at any time between MDA and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (p=0.0005), MDA and NTBI (p=0.0018), polymorphonuclear neutrophils and NTBI (p=0.0008) and between lactate dehydrogenase and NTBI (p=0.0212) were observed.

Conclusions

The erythropoietic changes observed in marathon runners are the results of several interacting mechanisms that involve either the haemopoietic systemper se or erythrocyte haemolysis and oxidative stress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan and IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena Foundation, Milan, Italy

    Lorena Duca, Annalisa Carbone, Isabella Nava, Maria Domenica Cappellini & Gemino Fiorelli

  2. Blood Bank and Department of Clinical Pathology and Immunohaematology, National Cancer Institute, Aviano (PN), Italy

    Alessandro Da Ponte & Mariarita Cozzi

  3. Department of Medical Specialties, University of Milan and IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena Foundation, Milan, Italy

    Mauro Pomati

Authors
  1. Lorena Duca
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  2. Alessandro Da Ponte
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  3. Mariarita Cozzi
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  4. Annalisa Carbone
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  5. Mauro Pomati
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  6. Isabella Nava
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  7. Maria Domenica Cappellini
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  8. Gemino Fiorelli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gemino Fiorelli.

Additional information

This paper was partially supported by MIUR 60% to GF, COFIN 2002 to MDC and by intramural funds from the IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Hospital of Milan, Italy.

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Duca, L., Da Ponte, A., Cozzi, M. et al. Changes in erythropoiesis, iron metabolism and oxidative stress after half-marathon. Int Emergency Med 1, 30–34 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934717

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934717

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