title: Evaluation of erythropoietin in endurance runners.
abstract: To evaluate the role of erythropoietin (Epo) in the erythroid abnormalities often found in athletes, Epo was evaluated by radioimmunoassay in endurance runners (ER). In a first study, 46 experienced ER, 11 with iron deficiency (ID group), were studied during a training period. In ID and non-ID runners, serum Epo (SEpo) levels were similar to sedentary controls (ID = 19.1 +/- 4.9 U/L, non-ID = 19.7 +/- 5.5 U/L and controls 19.7 +/- 9.2 U/L). In a second study, serum and urine erythropoietin (UEpo) levels were evaluated in 17 ER during a 6-hour race. Samples were taken before the race (pre-race), immediately following (6-hour) and 4 days after (post-race). No differences were observed in SEpo levels (pre-race = 19.8 +/- 4.1 U/L, 6-hour = 21.2 +/- 4.9 U/L and post-race = 21 +/- 4 U/L), but UEpo increased following the race (pre-race = 15.4 +/- 9.6 U/L, 6-hour = 26.1 +/- 6.2 U/L and post-race = 14.1 +/- 6.5 U/L) (p < 0.0001) and this UEpo increase was related to urine creatinine changes (rs = 0.79, p < 0.00001). In conclusion, SEpo in ER does not differ from sedentary values and does not vary with competition; however, UEpo increases during a long-distance race. These data may be important for a correct evaluation of Epo abusers and sports anemia.
authors: Hematology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: A F
authors: AF
authors: Remacha
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Ordoñez
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Barcelo
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Garcia-Die
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Arza
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Estruch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000502:physiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin