Arsenic,Cadmium and Lead Erythrocyte Concentrations in Men with a High,Moderate and Low Level of Physical Training

Biological Trace Element Research - The aim of the present study was to determine changes occurring in the erythrocyte concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in highly trained...     

Determination of nandrolone and metabolites in urine samples from sedentary persons and sportsmen

Metabolites of nandrolone were determined in the urine of several sportsmen, sedentary and post-menopausal women by capillary gas chromatography–mass spectrometry quadrupole (GC–MS) and capillary gas chromatography mass–mass spectrometry ion trap (GC–MS–MS) methods. The method employed was GC–EI-MS with 17α-methyltestosterone as internal standard with ethyl ether extraction prior to selected ion monitoring of the bis(trimethylsilyl) ethers at ion masses m/z 405 and 420 for the nandrolone metabolites, and 418 and 403 for nandrolone derivative. Recovery for nandrolone, 19-norandrosterone (19-NA) and 19-noretiocholanolone (19-NE) was 97.20, 94.17 and 95.54%, respectively. Detection limits for nandrolone, 19-NA and 19-NE were 0.03, 0.01 and 0.06 ng/ml. Metabolites of nandrolone (19-NA and 19-NE) were found in 12.5% (n=40) of sportsmen and 40% (n=10) of post-menopausal women.     

SHBG,plasma, and urinary androgens in weight lifters after a strength training

Previous studies with different results have suggested that total and bioavailable testosterone levels are modified by physical exercise. Such changes may be related to modifications in cortisol levels and could be reflected in some urine androgens. To determine how weight lifting training may affect serum and urinary androgens, we measured total serum testosterone (T), cortisol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and urinary testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, and etiocholanolone, in a group of 19 elite weight lifters after 20 weeks of training. SHBG increased (from 27.5 ± 9.5 to 34.7 ± 8.1 nM, p < 0.05) whereas T/SHBG decreased significantly (from 1.10 ± 0.4 to 0.85 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). Serum total testosterone and cortisol did not change significantly. In urine, androsterone and etiocholanolone decreased significantly, whereas testosterone and epitestosterone remained unchanged. Changes in T/SHBG were related positively with changes in urinary androgens (r = 0.680, p < 0.01), and changes in SHBG were negatively related with changes in urinary androgens (r = −0.578, p < 0.01). These results suggest that intense physical activity may have an influence on the elimination of androgenic hormones due mainly to changes in their transporting protein SHBG.     

Determination of urine steroid profile in untrained men to evaluate recovery after a strength training session

Intense physical exercise is an important modifier of hormone metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations in the urine profile of glucuroconjugated steroids (androgens, estrogens, and corticosteroids) as a consequence of a session of strength exercises. The subjects were a group (N = 20) of untrained male university students. They performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions, with a 3-minute recovery time between sets, at 70-75% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Four urine samples were collected per subject: before the session, immediately after, 3 hours after, and 48 hours after the session. They were assayed using a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer. The concentrations of the different hormones were determined according to the urine creatinine level (ng steroid per mg creatinine). The substances assayed were testosterone, epitestosterone (Epit), androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androsterone, etiocholanolone, beta-estradiol, estrone, tetrahydrocortisone (THE), and tetrahydrocortisol (THF). The results showed a significant decline after exercise with respect to the rested state in the urinary excretion of testosterone, Epit, DHEA, androsterone, and etiocholanolone. At 48 hours, there was a significant increase in the urinary excretion of Epit, androstenedione, androsterone, etiocholanolone, estrone, and THE. The androsterone + etiocholanolone/THE + THF ratio decreased after exercise, increased significantly (p < 0.05) at 3 hours, and returned to near resting levels at 48 hours. The data suggest that the performing a strength session at 70-75% of maximum strength provoked a state of fatigue in the subjects, from which they recovered 48 hours after the exercise.     

Urine excretion of androgen hormones in professional racing cyclists

This study was performed on 16 professional racing cyclists to examine changes in urine concentrations of androgen hormones (testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, 11-hydroxy-androsterone and 11-hydroxy-etiocholanolone) and plasma sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) after training and after competition. The urinary concentrations of androgen hormones decreased during the period of training and increased during competition, this being the reverse of what happened to SHBG plasma concentrations. These changes would suggest that physical activity may have an influence on the elimination of androgen hormones and on the synthesis of its transporting protein SHBG.     

Urinary steroid profile after the completion of concentric and concentric/eccentric trials with the same total workload

High intensity strength training causes changes in steroid hormone concentrations. This could be altered by the muscular contraction type: eccentric or concentric. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the completion of a short concentric (CON) and concentric/eccentric (CON/ECC) trial on the urinary steroid profile, both with the same total work. 18 males performed the trials on an isokinetic dynamometer (BIODEX III) exercising quadriceps muscles, right and left, on different days. Trial 1(CON): 4×10 Concentric knee extension + relax knee flexion, speed 60°/second; rest 90 seconds between each series and 4 minutes between each leg exercise. Trial 2(CON/ECC): 4×5 concentric knee extension + Eccentric knee flexion under similar conditions. Urine samples were taken before the exercise and one hour after finishing it. Androsterone, Etiocholanolone, DHEA, Androstenedione, Testosterone, Epitestosterone, Dehydrotestosterone, Estrone, B-Estradiol, Tetrahydrocortisone, Tetrahydrocortisol, Cortisone and Cortisol (free, glucoconjugated and sulfoconjugated) urinary values were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques. No significant differences were noted in Total Work and Average Peak Torque, although Maximum Peak Torque in the CON/ECC trial was higher than in the CON trial. These results demonstrate no changes in the steroid profile before and after trials, or when comparing CON to CON/ECC trials. The data suggest that eccentric contractions do not cause hormonal changes different to the ones produced by concentric contractions, when they are performed in strength short trials with the same total workload.     

Changes in sex hormone binding globulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma lipids in male cyclists during training and competition.

This study was performed on 13 professional race-cyclists to examine changes in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum lipid concentrations after training and after competition. While SHBG, total cholesterol and phospholipids increased and free fatty acids (FFA) decreased significantly during training, HDL-C and FFA increased and SHBG and triglycerides (TG) decreased significantly during the competition period. These latter changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins were assumed to be a direct effect of utilisation of muscle and plasma TG as fuels for exertion occurring only in extreme exercise. Changes in SHBG concentrations indicated that they were dependent on the conditions of the physical effort and could be related not only to the concentrations of androgens but also to the reduction in body mass.     

Changes in the number of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations induced by exercise in sedentary young people

The influence of physical exercise on the quantification of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations has been studied. These cells were obtained from blood taken from eleven healthy young men and women who follow a sedentary life style, before and after vigorous exercise (running). The results indicate that physical activity increases the number of white blood cells and the concentrations of circulating lymphocytes. The proportion of T-lymphocytes, estimated as rosette forming cells with sheep red blood cells after cold incubation, is constant, whereas a corresponding increase in cells with receptors for C3b or Ig-Fc is also observed. The data indicate that physical activity leads to an irregular intravascular discharge in stored cells.     

Plasma lipid concentrations in professional cyclists after competitive cycle races

Plasma lipid concentrations were measured in professional cyclists at the beginning of the training season and both before the start and at the end of two cycle races of similar length (800 and 900 km in 6 days). Plasma concentrations of triglyceride, total and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol: high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio were significantly lower and HDL-C concentrations significantly higher in cyclists compared to values in matched sedentary controls. At the end of the races, plasma concentrations of triglyceride and LDL-C were further reduced and HDL-C concentrations had increased compared to values at the start. At the end of the races, plasma concentrations of HDL-C were inversely correlated (r = -0.28, n = 45, P less than 0005) with triglyceride plasma concentrations. Body fat content, assessed as the sum of skinfold thicknesses was slightly reduced at the end of the race compared to the starting values. There was no significant correlation between skinfold thickness and plasma concentrations of HDL-C. Total plasma fatty acid concentrations were reduced and nonesterified fatty acids concentrations were increased at the end of the race compared to resting values. Consequently, the plasma concentrations of esterified fatty acids were significantly reduced after the race and there was a redistribution of the nonesterified fatty acids. The relative amounts of single fatty acids in the total fatty acid pool remained, however, remarkably constant. In conclusion, the results presented suggested that physical exercise, performed at the level of professional cyclists in a race, was an independent modifier of plasma lipid concentrations.