Response of Hepcidin Hormone and Iron Metabolism to Circuit Resistance Exercise in Trained Men

Most studies have investigated the effect of endurance activity on the levels of blood hepcidin and iron and they have been reported to increase hepcidin and decrease iron levels after this type of activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effect of circuit resistance activity on hepcidin hormone and iron metabolism in active men.

A total of 30 trained men participated in the current study on a voluntary basis and were randomly divided into two circuit resistance exercise and control groups (n=15). The study protocol was circuit resistance exercise consisting of 10 stations (leg press, chest press, barbell curl, lat pull down, leg extension, parallel, triceps pushdown, seated cable row, barbell shoulder press, and leg curl); the duration of activity at each station was 15 seconds, the rest between stations was 45 seconds and the intensity of activity was 60 percent of one maximum repetition, that was performed in 4 sets with 3 min rest between the sets. Five ml blood samples were obtained before and immediately after resistance exercise from participants' antecubital vein and the levels of serum hepcidin, iron, ferritin and RBC were measured.

In circuit resistance exercise group, the levels of blood Hepcidin (p=0.031) and Ferritin (p=0.001) decreased and the level of blood iron (p=0.001) increased significantly. But the changes in red blood cells count was not significant (p=0.055). In control group, no significant difference was not observed between pre-test and post-test for any of the variables (p>0.05). The amount of post-test Hepcidin level (p=0.012) and blood iron were significantly lower and higher in circuit resistance exercise group compared to those of control group, respectively.  

In conclusion, it can be stated that 60 minutes of resistance circuit activity with the intensity of 60% of 1RM induced a decline in blood hepcidin level and an increase in blood iron level.