A1 Journal article (refereed)
Relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and testosterone levels in male master athletes and non-athletes (2021)
Pinheiro Barbosa, L., da Silva Aguiar, S., Anderson Santos, P., Rosa dos Santos, T., Alves Maciel, L., Alves de Deus, L., Vanerson Passos Neves, R., Lopes de Araújo Leite, P., Duarte Gutierrez, S., Victor Sousa, C., Korhonen, M. T., Degens, H., & Gustavo Simões, H. (2021). Relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and testosterone levels in male master athletes and non-athletes. Experimental Gerontology, 151, Article 111407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111407
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Pinheiro Barbosa, Luca; da Silva Aguiar, Samuel; Anderson Santos, Patrick; Rosa dos Santos, Thiago; Alves Maciel, Larissa; Alves de Deus, Lysleine; Vanerson Passos Neves, Rodrigo; Lopes de Araújo Leite, Patrício; Duarte Gutierrez, Sara; Victor Sousa, Caio; et al.
Journal or series: Experimental Gerontology
ISSN: 0531-5565
eISSN: 1873-6815
Publication year: 2021
Volume: 151
Article number: 111407
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111407
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access: Channel is not openly available
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76503
Abstract
Aging is often associated with low-grade systemic inflammation and reduced anabolic hormone levels. To investigate whether lifelong exercise training can decrease the age-related low-grade inflammation and anabolic hormone levels, we examined hormonal and inflammatory parameters among highly-trained male masters athletes and age-matched non-athletes.
Methods
From 70 elite power and endurance master athletes – EMA (51.3 ± 8.0 yr), 32 young controls - YC (23.7 ± 3.9 yr) and 24 untrained age-matched controls - MAC (47.2 ± 8.0 yr) venous blood was drawn to measure inflammatory parameters (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) and circulating hormones (luteinizing hormone [LH], total testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG] and free androgen index [FAI]).
Results
EMA showed a better anti-inflammatory status than MAC (higher IL-10 and IL-10/IL-6 ratio and lower IL-6), but a lower anti-inflammatory status than YC (higher TNF-α) (p < 0.05). The MAC group had lower testosterone levels compared to the YC and EMA group (p < 0.05), and lower estradiol levels and testosterone/LH ratio compared to YC (p < 0.05). In the control groups (MAC and YC), testosterone correlated negatively with age and proinflammatory parameters, and positively with anti-inflammatory parameters.
Conclusion
Elite master athletics elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines above that seen in non-athlete peers and mitigated the age-related reduction in testosterone levels.
Keywords: ageing; middle-aged persons; men; athletes; hormonal effects; sex hormones; testosterone; inflammation; biomarkers; hypogonadism
Free keywords: older athletes; hormonal profile; hypogonadism; master athletes; inflammation
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1
