THE EFFECT OF 8 WEEK WALKİNG EXERCISES WITH DIFFERENT INTENSITY ON SERUM HEPCIDIN IL 6 LEVELS AND MARKERS OF IRON METABOLISM IN PRE MENAPAUSAL WOMEN

Introduction Exercise-induced iron deficiency is quite common in athletic population (Kong, et al.,2014). It has been suggested recentlythat hepcidin may be an important mediator in this process (Nemeth et al.,2006). Previous studies examined the effects of acute exerciseon hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism (Peeling et al. 2009; Peeling et al., 2014). To our knowledge, there are no studies examiningthe chronic effects of walking exercises (WE) on these parameters. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the chronic effect of twodifferent-intensity, eight-week WE on hepcidin, IL-6 and markers of iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women. Methods Exercisegroups (EG) (moderate tempo walking group; MTWG; n=11; brisk walking group BWG; n=11) walked three days a week, starting from 30minutes, gradually increasing up to 51 minutes. Control group (CG; n=8) did not participate in any exercise forms. BWG walked at ~70-75% and MTWG at ~50-55 of HRRmax. Body mass index, body fat, VO2max, serum hepcidin, IL-6 levels and some iron metabolismmarkers [iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin, transferrin saturation (STR), ferritin, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC),hematocrit (Hct)] were determined before and after the intervention. Results VO2max increased in both EG significantly, favoring BWG.Hepcidin levels increased in BWG (p<0.01), MTWG (p= 0.05), and CG (p<0.05). Serum IL-6 decreased in BWG and MTWG (p<0.05; p< 0.01,respectively). While serum iron levels did not change significantly in any groups, TIBC increased significantly only in BWG (p< 0.01). Therewas a nearly significant increase in Hb levels of BWG (p= 0.061) and Hct levels (p< 0.01); RBC increased significantly only in BWG (p< 0.05).We observed no statistical changes in ferritin, transferrin and transferrin STR levels of all study groups. Discussion Serum IL-6 decreasedregardless of the exercise type; therefore both WE types may be useful to prevent inflammation. However, brisk walking is advisable dueto the positive changes in VO2max and some iron metabolism parameters since they may contribute to prevent iron deficiency anemia.Despite the positive effects of the exercise programs on the reduction in serum IL-6 levels, the significant increase in hepcidin levels in EGremains unclear and necessitates further studies. References Kong WN, Gao G, Chang YZ (2014). Cell & Bioscience, 4:19 Nemeth E, GanzT (2006). Annu Rev Nutr, 26, 323-42 Peeling P, Dawson B, Goodman C, et al. (2009). Int J Sports Nutr Exerc Metab, 19,583-97. Peeling P,Sim M, Badenhorst CE, et al. (2014) PlosOne, 9(3). Contact gurbuzbuyukyazi@gmail.com