Acute effects of physical exercise on biomarkers of the trace elements selenium, zinc, copper, and iron

Physical activity is important for a healthy lifestyle but may have side effects, especially when performed in an excessive manner. This includes effects on the immune system but can also result in a higher need for certain micronutrients such as the trace elements selenium, zinc, copper, and iron.

This study aimed to characterize short-term effects of a standardized 1-minute sit-to-stand-test (STST) on serum concentrations of these trace elements.

20 healthy individuals performed the STST. Capillary blood samples were drawn 10 min before, immediately after, 30, and 60 min post-exercise. Lactate, glucose, and blood cell counts were determined together with the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The trace element concentrations and the biomarkers free zinc (fZn), and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) were analysed. All values except for fZn and NLR were adjusted for hemoconcentration.

Immediately after the STST, the levels of copper and selenium decreased significantly, which subsequently returned to baseline values. SELENOP levels showed a similar pattern to that of total selenium concentrations but only increased significantly after 60 min, compared to immediately after exercise. In contrast, no changes were observed for total zinc concentrations. FZn increased significantly immediately after the STST, before decreasing. Iron levels were higher immediately after the STST and rose significantly after 60 min. The cellular inflammatory markers NLR and SII decreased significantly after exercise and then increased compared to pre-test values. However, this was only significant for NLR. In contrast, SIRI increased continuously after physical activity, reaching significantly higher values after 60 min.

Short-term acute physical exercise modulates serum trace element concentrations together with inflammatory parameters. Accordingly, these might be connected to each other which should be analyzed after more extensive, long-term or repeated exercise.