HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Buchman, A. L. Articles by Dunn, J. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Buchman, A. L. Articles by Dunn, J. K.

The Effect of a Marathon Run on Plasma and Urine Mineral and Metal Concentrations

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (A.L.B.), University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, Houston
Department of Nutrition (C.K., J.C.), University of California, Davis
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (D.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Department of Pathology (C-N.O., C.L.R.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
Baylor College of Medicine; Houston, Texas (K.D., D.K.)
Section of Design and Analysis (K.D.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

Address reprint requests to: Alan L. Buchman, MD, MSPH, FACN, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 6431 Fannin, MSB 4.234, Houston, TX 77030

Background: Little data exist on the requirements of trace metals and minerals for endurance athletes. Changes in body status of these elements must be examined before specific nutritional recommendations can be made. This study was designed to determine whether a marathon run was associated with changes in serum and urine metal and mineral concentrations.

Methods: Forty subjects who planned to complete the 1996 Houston-Tennaco marathon were recruited. Subjects had blood and urine samples collected 2 weeks prior to the race and immediately following the race. Blood and urine specimens were analyzed for copper, iron, magnesium and zinc concentrations. Blood was also analyzed for calcium concentration and ceruloplasmin activity.

Results: Twenty-six subjects (24 male, 2 female) completed the marathon. Finish times varied between 2 hours 43 minutes and 5 hours 28 minutes. There was no significant change in serum calcium, copper or zinc concentrations or ceruloplasmin activity. Serum and urine magnesium concentration decreased significantly (19.55±1.73 to 16.55±1.53 ppm, p=0.00001; 34.02±8.64 to 21.80±12.24 ppm, p=0.003, respectively). Serum iron concentration increased significantly (1.06±0.48 to 1.35±0.42 ppm, p=0.006), while urine copper and iron concentrations were below the limits of detection, zinc concentration did not change.

Conclusions: Serum and urinary magnesium concentrations decrease during endurance running, consistant with the possibility of magnesium deficiency. This may be related to increased demand in skeletal muscle. Serum iron concentration increases, possibly related to tissue injury. The exact etiology for these observations, as well as their clinical significance, requires further investigation.

Key words: calcium, ceruloplasmin, copper, exercise, iron, magnesium, zinc

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Sheng, C. J. Perry, and T. R. Kleyman Extracellular Zn2+ Activates Epithelial Na+ Channels by Eliminating Na+ Self-inhibition J. Biol. Chem., July 23, 2004; 279(30): 31687 - 31696. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Yang, K. Mori, J. Y. Li, and J. Barasch Iron, lipocalin, and kidney epithelia Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, July 1, 2003; 285(1): F9 - F18. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]