The effect of carbohydrate ingestion on plasma interleukin-6, hepcidin and iron concentrations following prolonged exercise

P Robson-Ansley, I Walshe, Douglas Ward

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of our study was twofold, firstly to examine the relationship between plasma concentrations of IL-6, hepcidin and iron following prolonged exercise and secondly, to assess the effect of carbohydrate ingestion on circulating hepcidin concentration post-exercise. The study was a randomised double-blind cross-over design, with participants consuming either a carbohydrate (CHO) or an isovolumetric placebo drink throughout the trial. Nine healthy, trained males completed a treadmill run at 60% nu VO2max for 120 min followed by a 5 km time trial. Plasma concentrations of both IL-6 and hepcidin significantly increased post-exercise following both trials (p <.05) and returned to baseline by 24 h post (p > .05). A positive correlation between hepcidin and IL-6 was demonstrated immediately following exercise during PLA while there was a trend for a moderate correlation during CHO (PLA trial rho = 0.81, p <0.001: CHO trial rho = 0.36, p = 0.07). Plasma iron was unaffected immediately post-exercise but significantly reduced by 24 h post-exercise compared to baseline. CHO ingestion significantly reduced post-exercise IL-6 (p <.05) but this had no effect on plasma hepcidin or iron concentration. Our data demonstrate CHO supplementation does not alter the rapid hepcidin response associated with exercise and does not prevent a subsequent fall in plasma iron concentration. This finding adds further support to the theory that an exercise-induced, up-regulation of hepcidin activity is a mechanism causing iron deficiency in endurance athletes. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)196-200
Number of pages5
JournalCytokine
Volume53
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2011

Keywords

  • Aerobic exercise
  • Interleukin-6
  • Carbohydrate
  • Hepcidin
  • Inflammation

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