Abstract

RIVEROS, ALAIN; SANCHEZ GODOY, JESÚS ARMANDO; BUITRAGO, NATALIA  and  CRISTANCHO, EDGAR. SEX DEPENDENT AND PHYSIOLOGICALLY INDEPENDENT CIRCADIAN VARIATION IN EPO IN YOUNG AMATEUR ATHLETES. rev.fac.med [online]. 2014, vol.22, n.2, pp.37-48. ISSN 0121-5256.

Erythropoietin Epo is the key hormone in the process of erythropoiesis and, therefore, essential for acclimation to altitude. Although circadian variation in Epo levels has been reported before, the results are often contradictory. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Epo levels follow a circadian variation and that such variation depends on gender and standard physiological variables. We evaluated circadian variation in Epo levels in amateur young athletes living at intermediate elevation (Bogota, Colombia: 2600 m) and analyzed the potential association with physiological variables. Material and Methods: Six men and six women were included in the study assuring at least eight months of aerobic regime before participation. We took blood samples every 4 h over 24 h to quantify Epo levels and measured physiological variables (hear rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation). Results: Our results show a circadian variation in Epo levels (cosinor analysis p<0.05) and a significant difference in mesor (men = 20:10 h, women = 16:33 h, p = 0.0001) and acrophase between males and females (men = 17:52 h, women = 15:50 h). In contrast, we did not detect any significant association with the physiological variables measured. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a circadian variation in Epo levels and that such rhythmicity is dependent on gender and independent of physiological variables. Ongoing research aims to detect the controller of the oscillation detected in this project. Themes: Circadian Rhythm. Topics: Erythropoietin.

Keywords : Circadian Rhythm; Erythropoietin; Acclimation; Intermediate altitude.

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