BACKGROUND. The aim of this study is to identify seasonal changes in total 25(OH) vitamin D (VD) concentrations and determine its influence on acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) morbidity among elite athletes engaged in water sports.METHODS. The study was planned as a prospective, non-interventional, observational study. Study participants included 40 elite athletes and 30 control individuals. Serum levels of 25(OH) VD and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-6 were detected by ELISA technique. Morbidity and frequency of acute URTI in participants were determined by self-reported questionnaire during the year. RESULTS. The predominance of VD insufficiency was found in both groups of elite athletes and in the control individuals. Prevalence of VD insufficiency/deficiency depends on the season, but independently on the season the highest values were observed among athletes. VD sufficiency was detected in 30% and 13.3% of the control individuals in August and February and only in 10% of swimmers in August. More than 3 episodes of URTI were detected only in the elite athletes in winter-spring. The elevated level of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 was detected in all athletes, but more expressed increase was observed in swimmers. CONCLUSIONS. VD insufficiency is quite pronounced among elite athletes engaged in synchronized swimming and in swimmers. It is accompanied with a decrease of IFN-γ, increase of TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 level, and elevation of URTI morbidity. Seasonal monitoring and correction of the VD level for normalization of cytokine profile and decrease of URTI morbidity is definitely advised.
BACKGROUND. The aim of this study is to identify seasonal changes in total 25(OH) vitamin D (VD) concentrations and determine its influence on acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) morbidity among elite athletes engaged in water sports.METHODS. The study was planned as a prospective, non-interventional, observational study. Study participants included 40 elite athletes and 30 control individuals. Serum levels of 25(OH) VD and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-6 were detected by ELISA technique. Morbidity and frequency of acute URTI in participants were determined by self-reported questionnaire during the year. RESULTS. The predominance of VD insufficiency was found in both groups of elite athletes and in the control individuals. Prevalence of VD insufficiency/deficiency depends on the season, but independently on the season the highest values were observed among athletes. VD sufficiency was detected in 30% and 13.3% of the control individuals in August and February and only in 10% of swimmers in August. More than 3 episodes of URTI were detected only in the elite athletes in winter-spring. The elevated level of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 was detected in all athletes, but more expressed increase was observed in swimmers. CONCLUSIONS. VD insufficiency is quite pronounced among elite athletes engaged in synchronized swimming and in swimmers. It is accompanied with a decrease of IFN-γ, increase of TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-6 level, and elevation of URTI morbidity. Seasonal monitoring and correction of the VD level for normalization of cytokine profile and decrease of URTI morbidity is definitely advised.
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