The effect of 8-week different-intensity walking exercises on serum hepcidin, IL-6, and iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women.

Objective Hepcidin may be an important mediator in exercise-induced iron deficiency. Despite the studies investigating acute exercise effects on hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism, we found no studies examining the chronic effects of walking exercises (WE) on hepcidin and markers of iron metabolism in premenopausal women. The chronic effects of two 8-week different-intensity WE on hepcidin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and markers of iron metabolism in pre-menopausal women were examined. Methods Exercise groups (EG) [moderate tempo walking group (MTWG), n = 11; brisk walking group (BWG), n = 11] walked 3 days/week, starting from 30 to 51 min. Control group (CG; n = 8) did not perform any exercises. BWG walked at ∼70%-75%; MTWG at ∼50%-55% of HRRmax. VO2max, hepcidin, IL-6, and iron metabolism markers were determined before and after the intervention. Results VO2max increased in both EGs, favoring the BWG. Hepcidin increased in the BWG (p < 0.01) and CG (p < 0.05). IL-6 decreased in the BWG and the MTWG (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). While iron, ferritin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation levels did not change in any group, total iron binding capacity (p < 0.05), red blood cells (p < 0.05), and hematocrit (p < 0.01) increased only in the BWG. Conclusion Both WE types may be useful to prevent inflammation. However, brisk walking is advisable due to the positive changes in VO2max and some iron metabolism parameters, which may contribute to prevent iron deficiency. The increase in hepcidin levels remains unclear and necessitates further studies.

Levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and total sialic acid in serum of patients with laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion molecules have been implicated in tumor progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and total sialic acid (TSA) levels in laryngeal carcinoma and correlate their levels with the cancer stage. METHOD: The sera from 35 patients with laryngeal cancer (10 at stage II, 12 at stage III and 13 at stage IV) were extracted before treatment. The concentrations of sICAM-1 and TSA were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay and the thiobarbituric acid method, respectively and compared with those from a healthy control group (n = 34). RESULTS: Mean serum sICAM-1 and TSA levels were found to be higher in the total patient group (the lowest level belonging to stage II) than in the control group (p < 0.001, control versus total patient group). As the stage of the disease increased, higher levels of sICAM-1 and TSA were determined. The correlations between TSA and sICAM-1 became more significant as the stage of the disease increased (r= 0.67, p < 0.05 in stage II, r= 0.86, p < 0.001 in stage III and r = 0.90, p < 0.001 in stage IV). CONCLUSION: These data reveal that the significant correlations between sICAM-1 and TSA in laryngeal cancer, more prominent at advanced stage, might reflect the similar nature of these molecules, which function as adhesion molecules.