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Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
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Complement System Deficiencies in Elite Athletes.

Libor Vítek1,2, Jana Woronyczova3,4, Veronika Hanzikova5

  • 1Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Kateřinská 32, 120 00, Prague, Czech Republic. vitek@cesnet.cz.

Sports Medicine - Open
|January 22, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Elite athletes exhibit a high frequency of complement system defects, including lower C3 and C4 levels and deficiencies in classical and alternative pathway activation. These findings suggest potential impacts on infectious disease susceptibility.

Keywords:
ComplementComplementopathyElite athletesExerciseSport

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Regular physical activity enhances immune function and reduces inflammation.
  • Intense training in elite athletes can increase susceptibility to infections.
  • The complement system plays a crucial role in immune defense.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess complement system parameters in elite athletes.
  • To compare complement component concentrations and pathway activation between elite athletes and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Serum concentrations of C3, C4, and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) were measured.
  • Activation of classical, alternative, and lectin complement pathways was determined.
  • A cohort of 134 elite athletes and 110 healthy controls was studied.

Main Results:

  • Elite athletes showed significantly lower concentrations of C3 and C4 compared to controls.
  • Higher frequencies of C3 and C4 deficiencies were observed in athletes.
  • Athletes had increased rates of deficiencies in classical and alternative complement pathway activation.

Conclusions:

  • A high prevalence of complement system defects exists in elite athletes.
  • Lower C3/C4 levels and classical/alternative pathway deficiencies are common.
  • Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications for infectious disease risk.