title: Vitamin D, Iron Metabolism, and Diet in Alpinists During a 2-Week High-Altitude Climb.
abstract: A defensive mechanism against hypobaric hypoxia at high altitude is erythropoesis. Some authors point to the contribution of vitamin D to the regulation of this process. The aim of the present study was to assess the 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) level and its associations with iron metabolic and inflammatory indices in participants of a 2-week mountaineering expedition. The study sample included 9 alpinists practicing recreational mountain climbing. Every 2 or 3 days they set up a different base between 3200 and 3616 m with the intention of climbing 4000 m peaks in the Mont Blanc massif. Before their departure for the mountains and 2 days after returning to the sea level anthropometric parameters, hematological parameters, serum levels of 25(OH)D and iron metabolic indices were measured in all the participants. The composition of the participants' diet was also evaluated. The comparative analysis showed a significant decrease in body mass, BMI values, total iron, and 25(OH)D concentrations (p<0.05). Also significant increases in unsaturated iron-binding capacity, hematocrit, and C-reactive protein concentrations (p<0.05) were found. It can be concluded that the 2-week climbing expedition contributed to the reduction of 25(OH)D levels and these changes were associated with modulation of immune processes. Moreover, the climbers' diet requires some serious modifications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University School of Physical Education , Poznań, Poland .
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kasprzak
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University School of Physical Education , Poznań, Poland .
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Śliwicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University School of Physical Education , Poznań, Poland .
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hennig
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University School of Physical Education , Poznań, Poland .
authors.forename: Łucja
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Pilaczyńska-Szcześniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University School of Physical Education , Poznań, Poland .
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huta-Osiecka
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, University School of Physical Education , Poznań, Poland .
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005101:Expeditions; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009051:Mountaineering / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D007501:Iron; D002112:Calcifediol
keywords: high altitude; iron, nutrition; physical activity; vitamin D