Analysis of cardiac overload, liver and pancreatic iron by magnetic resonance T2* technique with the cyclists in iron users and its correlation with three-dimensional echocardiography

• Grant number: 09/08008-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2009
• End date: November 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Diniz Nagem Janot de Matos
• Grantee: Luciana Diniz Nagem Janot de Matos
• Host Institution: Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEPAE). Sociedade Beneficente Israelita Brasileira Albert Einstein (SBIBAE). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The use of exogenous iron by cyclists is quite widespread, although there is no scientific evidence that links this practice to improve performance. Because the iron is a essential metal for the synthesis erythrocyte athletes believe that iron supplementation may best results, it often is with the values of normal hemoglobin and hematocrit. However, what may not be known in sports is that while the iron is essential for cell proliferation, eritropoese and oxy-reduction reactions, its accumulation is responsible for organ dysfunction by the production of reactive oxygen species which with coupled intense exercise may be even more harmful and lead to serious risks for the athletes. As there is no mechanism for liabilities excretion, iron is easily accumulated in vital organs. MRI with T2* technique has shown impregnation of iron even in normal ferritin levels in patients with genetic diseases such as hemochromatosis in both heart and liver and pancreas. Three-dimensional echocardiography is another method of image that helps to understand the cardiac structure and function. It is the most widely used in clinical practice to have the advantage of not requiring contrast and have lower cost. However, we do not know whether it can provide accuracy that the MRI in such cases. So be aware that the increase of serum ferritin by use of exogenous iron correlates with impregnation heart, liver and pancreatic resonance and to compare with cardiac findings in the echocardiogram is essential to therapeutic conduct to be taken, as may be pose risk of life for the usual users of this mineral. (AU)