engleski

Application of TXRF for monitoring level of minerals and trace elements in the urine of the participants of mountain ultra-marathon race

Under extreme conditions, such as mountain ultra-marathon race, human body is pushed to the limits. During such event metabolic, cardiovascular and muscular changes occur. The essential minerals (Na, P, K, and Ca) and trace elements (Se, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe and Co) are directly involved in many of the physiological processes that can be affected by endurance exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the level of essential minerals and trace elements in the urine of mountain ultra-marathon participants before and after the race. Urine samples were collected before the race (baseline value), immediately, and 12 h and 24 h after the race. In the urine samples multi-elemental analysis were performed using the bench top Total reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometer “S2 Picofox” (Bruker Nano GmbH, Berlin, Germany). After the race level of essential minerals and trace elements increased compared to their baseline value (Ca: 80.9±75.8 vs. 272.5±460.9 mg/l ; P: 234.5±321.6 vs. 817.4±957.6 mg/l ; K: 831.5±609.8 vs. 8937.4±12665.2 mg/l ; Na: 579.8±438.1 vs. 1489.5±2513.8 mg/l ; Se: 4.04±10.2 vs. 82.6±136.4 μg/l ; Zn: 263.2±295.7 vs. 2000.2±2661.9 μg/l ; Mn: 208.4±237.7 vs. 2797.2±3756.1 μg/l ; Fe: 46.8±40.7 vs. 167.3±186.7 μg/l ; Cu: 15.0±13.6 μg/l vs. 82.2±123.0 μg/l ; Co: 46.8±39.1 vs. 404.1±409.6 μg/l ; before the race vs. immediately after the race ; p<0.01). However, in follow-up period (24 h) minerals such as Ca and P stayed increased throughout the whole observation period, while trace elements involved in antioxidant defence Se, Mn and Zn return to baseline values. Results of this study indicate that mountain ultra-marathon race induce alteration in level of important minerals and trace elements as the response to adaptive mechanisms to the exercise. The baseline values of elements such as Zn and Se (263.2±295.7 μg/l and 4.04±10.2 μg/l, respectively) were comparable to previous studies (330 ±210 μg/l and 20.2 ±10.1 μg/l, respectively) [1, 2] indicating that TXRF is reliable method for fast and multi-elemental analysis of the same urine sample. Furthermore, due to easy preparation of samples, the method can be used for routine control of the level of minerals and trace elements.

urine; TXRF; essential minerals and trace elements

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