An intensified training schedule in recreational male runners is associated with increases in erythropoiesis and inflammation and a net reduction in plasma hepcidin

Background Iron status is a determinant of physical performance, but training may induce both low-grade inflammation and erythropoiesis, exerting opposing influences on hepcidin and iron metabolism. To our knowledge, the combined effects on iron absorption and utilization during training have not been examined directly in humans. Objective We hypothesized that 3 wk of exercise training in recreational male runners would decrease oral iron bioavailability by increasing inflammation and hepcidin concentrations. Design In a prospective intervention, nonanemic, iron-sufficient men (n = 10) completed a 34-d study consisting of a 16-d control phase and a 22-d exercise-training phase of 8 km running every second day. We measured oral iron absorption and erythroid iron utilization using oral 57Fe and intravenous 58Fe tracers administered before and during training. We measured hemoglobin mass (mHb) and total red blood cell volume (RCV) by carbon monoxide rebreathing. Iron status, interleukin-6 (IL-6), plasma hepcidin (PHep), erythropoietin (EPO), and erythroferrone were measured before, during, and after training. Results Exercise training induced inflammation, as indicated by an increased mean ± SD IL-6 (0.87 ± 1.1 to 5.17 ± 2.2 pg/mL; P 80%) from stores mobilization rather than from increased dietary absorption. Conclusions In iron-sufficient men, mild intensification of exercise intensity increases both inflammation and erythropoiesis. The net effect is to decrease hepcidin concentrations and to tend to increase oral iron absorption. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01730521