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Int J Sports Med 2003; 24(3): 217-222
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39095
Immunology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Influence of Iron Status and Iron Supplements on Natural Killer Cell Activity in Trained Women Runners

M.  G.  Flynn1 , L.  Mackinnon2 , V.  Gedge2 , M.  Fahlman3 , T.  Brickman4
  • 1 Department of Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
  • 2 School of Human Movement Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
  • 3 Department of HPR, School of Health and Physical Education, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
  • 4 Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
Further Information

Publication History



Accepted after revision: October 15, 2002

Publication Date:
12 May 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Twenty-two trained women runners (V˙O2peak 48.1 + 1.2 ml × kg-1 × min-1) were divided into an iron supplement (n = 13) or placebo group (n = 9) based on initial serum ferritin concentration (24.2 ± 2.9 and 58.5 ± 4.0 µg × l-1, respectively). Exercise consisted of a 35-min run (80 % V˙O2peak) and was performed at week 0 (WK0), after two weeks of intensified training (WK2) and after eight weeks recovery training (WK10). The eight weeks recovery training were concomitant with subjects taking iron supplements or placebo in a double blind fashion. Concentrations of serum ferritin, serum iron and total iron binding capacity were assessed pre-exercise and complete blood count, natural killer cell activity (NKACT), and cell surface markers for CD3+, CD4+, CD3+,CD8+, CD3-, CD16+, CD56+ cells were determined both pre- and post-exercise. Serum ferritin concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) increased on WK10 compared to WK2 (time effect). NKACT (%lysis) and NK cell number was lower (p < 0.05) at WK0 for supplement (42.9 ± 1.9 % and 305.5 ± 15.0 × 106 × l-1, respectively) compared to placebo groups (50.9 ± 2.0 and 406.1 ± 25.6, respectively). Two weeks of intensified training did not alter indices of host defense. In conclusion, NKACT and NK cell numbers were lower in subjects with greater body mass and lower iron stores (p < 0.05), but were not significantly altered after two weeks of intensified training or when serum ferritin levels increased.

Key words

Natural killer cells - iron - ferritin - intensified training

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M. G. Flynn

Department of Health, Kinesiology and Leisure Studies · Purdue University

West Lafayette · IN 47907 · USA ·

Phone: +1-765-496-3329

Fax: +1-765-496-1239

Email: mickflyn@purdue.edu

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