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Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead Erythrocyte Concentrations in Men with a High, Moderate and Low Level of Physical Training

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine changes occurring in the erythrocyte concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in highly trained males, moderately trained males and sedentary men living in the same area of Extremadura (Spain). Thirty sedentary subjects (24.34 ± 3.02 years) with no sports practice and a less active lifestyle formed the control group (CG). Twenty-four moderately trained subjects (23.53 ± 1.85 years), who practised sports at a moderate level between 4 and 7 h/week, without any performance objective and without following any type of systematic training, formed the group of subjects with a moderate degree of training (MTG). And 22 professional cyclists (23.29 ± 2.73 years) at the beginning of their sports season, who trained for more than 20 h/week formed the high-level training group (HTG). Erythrocyte samples from all subjects in a fasting stage were collected, washed and frozen at −80 °C until analysis. Erythrocyte analysis of the trace elements As, Cd and Pb was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). As concentration was lower in CG (p < 0.01) and MTG (p < 0.01) than HTG. Cd (p < 0.001) and Pb (p < 0.05) concentrations were higher in CG than HTG. All results were expressed in μg/g Hb. Physical training produces a decrease in erythrocyte concentrations of Cd and Pb, as an adaptation in order to avoid their accumulation in the cells and preserve correct cellular functioning. The higher As concentration should be investigated in high-level sportsmen because of a possible negative effect on the cells.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the collaboration of SAIUex. The research was conducted in the laboratory of Physiology of the Sport Sciences Faculty (University of Extremadura).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Education Faculty, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain

    Francisco Javier Grijota

  2. Sport Sciences Faculty, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, 10003, Cáceres, Spain

    Diego Muñoz, Ignacio Bartolomé, Jesús Siquier-Coll, María Concepción Robles & Marcos Maynar

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  1. Francisco Javier Grijota
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Correspondence to Diego Muñoz.

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They were informed about the aim and procedures of the study, and gave their informed consents and participated voluntarily. The University of Extremadura Ethics Committee approved the investigation according to the latest version of the Helsinki declaration for human research.

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Grijota, F.J., Muñoz, D., Bartolomé, I. et al. Arsenic, Cadmium and Lead Erythrocyte Concentrations in Men with a High, Moderate and Low Level of Physical Training. Biol Trace Elem Res 195, 39–45 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01837-w

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