Leukocyte activation, erythrocyte damage, lipid profile and oxidative stress imposed by high competition physical exercise in adolescents.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare the lipid profile and the levels of leukocyte activation, red blood cell (RBC) damage and of oxidative stress in two groups of adolescents, with similar body mass index: high competition swimmers and adolescents practising moderate regular physical exercise.

Methods: As markers of leukocyte activation, we measured plasma lactoferrin, elastase and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor. We studied RBC membrane band 3 profile and membrane-bound hemoglobin, as markers of RBC damage and aging; total and differential leukocyte count and RBC count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and hematimetric indexes were also measured. Lipid profile included the evaluation of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (Chol), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), apolipoproteins AI and B (Apo AI and B), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)). To evaluate oxidative stress, lipoperoxidation products and total antioxidant capacity were measured.

Results: We found that high competition adolescents presented increased plasma levels of leukocyte activation products, increased RBC damage suggesting aging and premature removal, and higher oxidative stress. Lipid profile showed some risk and some protective changes.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that high competition exercise, by imposing a higher and sustained oxidative and proteolytic stress, may contribute in the future to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. We believe these findings warrant a reevaluation of current views in the intensity, duration and regularity of physical exercise, and that the evaluation of leukocyte activation products, RBC damage, oxidative stress and lipid profile may represent good markers to establish putative protective thresholds.