Paraoxonase activity in athletes with depleted iron stores and iron-deficient erythropoiesis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate how conditions that precede anaemia (iron store depletion and iron-deficient erythropoiesis) affect human serum paraoxonase PON1 activity. Design and methods: Based on haemoglobin, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin values 119 athletes were divided into three groups: with iron depletion, with deficient erythropoiesis and controls. The following parameters were measured: paraoxonase activity towards paraoxon (POase) and diazoxon (DZOase), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), red blood cells (RBC) and lipid status. Results: Significant differences were found between athletes with different stages of iron deficiency and controls with respect to PON 1 activity and oxidative stress status parameters (Wilks' Lambda = 0.712, F = 5.241, p lt 0.001, eta(2) = 0.156). There was no significant difference between the PON1 192 Q and R polymorphism distribution in the two groups of athletes with different stages of iron deficiency and controls (chi(2) = 1.086; p = 0.896). PON1 activity was positively correlated with RBCs, haemoglobin, transferrin saturation (p lt 0.001) and ferritin (p = 0.037) and negatively correlated with LOOH (p = 0.044) in all three study groups. Conclusions: Deficient erythropoiesis in athletes contributes to impaired PON1 activity. In contrast, iron depletion, regardless of increased oxidative stress, does not affect PON1 activity.