Alfredo Córdova Martínez

Iron, transferrin, and haptoglobin levels after a single bout of exercise in men

Twelve, healthy male university student volunteers, between the ages of 20 and 23, were studied. All subjects were considered normal after cardiopulmonary and electrocardiographic examination. The maximal aerobic capacity (Vo2 max) of each subject was determined. The exercise programmes were performed on a mechanically braked Monark cycle ergometer. The subjects were required to perform the three tests, one per week. Each subject had a catheter inserted in an antecubital vein and blood samples were drawn at rest and at the end of exercise. Before and immediately after each exercise session total proteins (TP), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), and other hematological parameters were measured. Serum iron (Fe), transferrin (TRF), and haptoglobin (HPT) were also determined. Immediately after the end of the exercise (TPT, RST, and IET), TP, Hb, Hct, and RBC increased significantly. TRF and HPT concentrations remained unchanged and iron decreased significantly after maximum sustained test (RST).

Hand Strike-Induced Hemolysis and Adaptations in Iron Metabolism in Basque Ball Players

Introduction: Basque ball players (BBPs) make repeated hand strikes to the ball which involves continuous mechanical trauma. Objective: The aim of this work is to describe the hematological variations and changes in iron metabolism occurring in BBPs as a result of acute and continuous practice of this special sport native to Northern Spain. Methods: 40 healthy male subjects volunteered to participate in this study: 11 subjects who exercise moderately (control group) but do not play Basque ball sport and 29 professional BBPs were studied in two situations: before a match (BM group) and after a match (AM group). The following hematological parameters were determined: red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin and hematocrit; MCV, MCH and MCHC. The following variables were measured in serum: iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation, proteins, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Proteins and hemoglobin were determined in urine. Results: The BM group showed lower hematocrit, MCV, hemoglobin and serum transferrin levels, and higher LDH than controls. The AM group showed higher RBC, hemoglobin, serum proteins, iron, transferrin and LDH levels, lower plasma volume, and higher urine hemoglobin and protein levels than the BM group. Conclusions: Basque ball playing induces hemolysis and increases the plasma capability to quench free iron, but its clinical consequences on iron metabolism do not seem to be enough to take an iron intake proportional to the caloric intake. In order to prevent, in the long term, the development of anemia in these peculiar sportsmen, it would be useful that medical teams observe urine blood losses and oxidative stress in these BBPs.

Status and metabolism of iron in elite sportsmen during a period of professional competition

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of both acute exercise and maintained training during a period of competition (3 mo, at the start of the season) on iron metabolism in sportsmen on a professional volleyball team. Twelve sportsmen volunteered for this study. The exercise test was performed on a mechanically braked Monark cycle ergometer and consisted of a triangular progressive test. Three blood samples were obtained in each test: at rest, just after exercise, and after recovery. The following hematological parameters were determined: red blood count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hto), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total proteins (TP), serum iron (Fe) and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin (FER), transferrin (TRF), haptoglobin (HPT), and serum cortisol (COR) concentrations. We have found changes in hematological and biochemical variables related to Fe metabolism during the study. The changes observed could be the result of hemoconcentration processes after exercise and, at least in part, to physical stress and muscular damage. We conclude that athletes, after a period of adaptation, with a good plan of work/recovery series, undergo a biological redistribution on hematological and biochemical parameters concerning Fe metabolism during the training and competition period. Also, daily Fe supplementation could restore and mask the true repercussions of maintained training observed in other sports.

The role of ATP as a mediator in the action of iron complexes on cellular calcium homeostasis

The effects of the interaction between low molecular weight iron complexes (citrate, lactate, and ATP complexes) with ATP and proteins, on the modification of Ehrlich carcinoma cell calcium homeostasis have been studied. In that modification the ferric-ATP complex shows much higher activity than the others. Sodium ATP, by iron translocation from citrate and lactate, increases their activity. This phenomenon implicates ATP as a mediator on the cellular activity of the complexes. Proteins, particularly ferritin, appear to moderately reduce their activity, whereas glutathione and ascorbic acid, acting as lipid peroxidation-inhibitors, show only a slight reduction of the iron complex’s effects on cellular calcium uptake.