Influence of physical training on intracellular and extracellular zinc concentrations

Abstract

Background Physical exercise affects zinc (Zn) homeostasis. This study aimed to analyze the influence of physical training on extracellular (serum, plasma, and urine) and intracellular (erythrocytes and platelets) concentrations of Zn. Methods Forty young men, divided into a training group (TG; n = 20; 18.15 ± 0.27 years; 68.59 ± 4.18 kg; 1.76 ± 0.04 m) and a control group (CG; n = 20; 19.25 ± 0.39 years; 73.45 ± 9.04 kg; 1.79 ± 0.06 m), participated in this study. The TG was formed by semiprofessional soccer players from a youth category with a regular training plan of 10 h/week. The CG was formed by healthy men who did not practice physical exercise and had not followed any specific training plan. Plasma, serum, urine, erythrocyte, and platelet samples of Zn were obtained and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results The TG showed elevated plasma Zn concentrations (p < 0.01) despite similar intakes. However, TG showed reduced absolute (p < 0.01) and relative (p < 0.05) Zn concentrations in erythrocytes. Conclusions Athletes who underwent regular physical training showed elevated plasma and reduced erythrocyte Zn concentrations despite similar intakes to the CG.

Extracellular and Intracellular Concentrations of Molybdenum and Zinc in Soccer Players: Sex Differences

“…Zn is one of the most studied TMEs due to its abundance in organisms [ 13 ]. Zn is a cofactor for more than 300 metalloenzymes and is involved in different biological functions: immunity, energy metabolism or the antioxidant system, among others [ 14 ].…”

“…Zn is a cofactor for more than 300 metalloenzymes and is involved in different biological functions: immunity, energy metabolism or the antioxidant system, among others [ 14 ]. Zn concentrations are found predominantly in skeletal muscle (60%) and bone (30%) [ 13 ]. Intramuscular Zn concentrations provide structural integrity and contribute to the enzymatic activities of metalloenzymes, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) [ 15 ].…”

“…However, it does not seem to be a specific indicator of Zn status in athletes or the general population [ 19 , 20 ], with no information available for Mo. In view of the above, previous authors proposed simultaneously assessing TME status in different compartments [ 4 , 13 ].…”

“…Metin et al [ 24 ] observed no differences in Zn concentrations between male and sedentary soccer players. However, Toro-Román et al [ 13 ] reported higher plasma concentrations and lower erythrocyte concentrations of Zn in soccer players compared to a control group.…”

“…The sex difference in muscle mass could influence extracellular Zn concentrations [ 27 ] since an important part of Zn is found in this tissue, and the muscle damage produced by physical exercise could favor the release of Zn from muscle tissue to extracellular compartments [ 13 ]. Likewise, the number of erythrocytes could affect intracellular Zn concentrations because Zn acts as a cofactor of CA and superoxide dismutase (SOD), also present in the erythrocyte membrane [ 28 ].…”