Correlation Analysis of Exercise-Induced Changes in Plasma Trace Element and Hormone Levels During Incremental Exercise in Well-Trained Athletes

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between hormonal changes induced by exercise and variations in trace elements associated with oxidative stress during incremental exercise. Nineteen well-trained endurance athletes performed a cycle ergometer test: after a warm-up of 10 min at 2.0 W kg(-1), workload increased by 0.5 W kg(-1) every 10 min until exhaustion. The analysis was controlled for prior diet and activity patterns, levels of exercise training, and time of day (circadian rhythms). Whole blood lactate concentration and plasma concentrations of ions (Zn, Se, Mn, and Co), insulin, glucagon, aldosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured at rest; at the end of each stage; and 3, 5, and 7 min post-exercise. The statistical analysis involved paired non-parametric tests and correlation coefficients. No significant differences were found in Mn or Co levels as a function of exercise intensity. Zn and Se levels at the end of the exercise protocol and over the recovery time were significantly different to baseline. Further, Zn levels were significantly correlated with aldosterone, calcitonin, and PTH levels, while Se levels were associated with aldosterone, calcitonin, and TSH levels. Our results indicate several different patterns of association between acute changes in hormone concentrations and variations in trace element concentrations related to oxidative stress during submaximal exercise.

Association between Parameters Related to Oxidative Stress and Trace Minerals in Athletes

“…Trace minerals (TMs) are elements that are necessary for the human body due to the large number of biological functions in which they could be directly or indirectly involved during different physiological processes that can be altered as adaptation mechanisms to endurance exercise [15]. Essential trace minerals such as copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) act as cofactors of antioxidant enzymes to protect the body from oxygen free radicals [16].…”

The effects of long lasting physical exercise and training on kidneys functions

“…The results differ slightly. It can be seen that the measurements did not show a change in the level of plasma cobalt (Soria, 2016) during intense exercise in professional athletes. There is also no unambiguous information that the increase in cobalt concentration in the urine was the result of impaired renal function during prolonged exercise.…”

“…Considering the comparison of the results from the above studies (Buchman, 2013, Svyatova, 2013, Arakawa, 2016, Soria, 2016, Jablan, 2017 it can be concluded that the level of excretion of minerals and trace elements in urine depends largely on the type of performed sport, its duration and level of training of the participants, as well as individual characteristics of the body, which in turn leads to heterogeneous results.…”

Cobalt in athletes: hypoxia and doping - new crossroads

“…Similarly, exercise of various intensity did not affect Co plasma levels. Moreover, no significant changes were observed in 7 minutes after exercise (Soria et al, 2016). Similarly, no significant difference between pre-and post-exercise salivary Co levels was detected in volunteers performing a cycle ergometer test (Chicharro et al, 1999).…”