Broadbent, Suzanne (2010) Seasonal changes in haematology, lymphocyte transferrin receptors and intracellular iron in Ironman triathletes and untrained men. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111 (1). pp. 93-100. ISSN 1439-6319

Abstract

We investigated whether 12 months of chronic endurance training would affect haematology, CD4+ lymphocyte transferrin receptor (CD71) expression, CD4+ intracellular iron and the incidence of upper respiratory tract illnesses (URTI) in Ironman triathletes compared with untrained men. Resting venous blood samples were taken from 15 Ironman triathletes (TR 30 ± 5 year) and 12 untrained men (UT 30 ± 6 year) every 4 weeks for 12 months. Erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet concentration, haematocrit, haemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCHC) were measured with a full blood count. CD4+ lymphocytes were analysed for changes in transferrin receptor (CD71) expression (CD4+CD71+), and intracellular iron (Fe3+), by flow cytometry. The TR group had significantly lower Hb, MCHC, and platelets for 10, 9 and 11 months, respectively; lower CD4+CD71+ (3 months) and Fe3+ (1 month), respectively; higher CD4+CD71+ (1 month); a higher lymphocyte count for 4 months. There were no between-group differences in other variables. In both groups haematology and lymphocytes increased during spring, early summer and winter and decreased during late summer/late winter, with an inverse relationship between CD4+CD71+ and Fe3+. The TR group reported significantly fewer URTI than the UT. Low Hb and MCHC suggest an iron deficiency which may affect triathlete performance. Monthly changes in lymphocytes, CD4+CD71+ and Fe3+ suggested that spring, summer and late autumn are associated with CD4+ proliferation. There may be seasonal relationships between haematology and lymphocyte function, independent of endurance training, possibly affecting performance but not the incidence of URTI.

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