Exercise-induced inflammation can influence iron metabolism. Conversely, the effects of vitamin D3, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties, on ultramarathon-induced heart damage and changes in iron metabolism have not been investigated. Thirty-five healthy long-distance semi-amateur runners were divided into two groups: one group received 150,000 IU of vitamin D3 24 h prior to a race (n = 16), while the other group received a placebo (n = 19). Serum iron, hepcidin (HPC), ferritin (FER), erythroferrone (ERFE), erythropoietin (EPO), neopterin (NPT), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were assessed. A considerable effect of ultramarathon running on all examined biochemical markers was observed, with a significant rise in serum levels of ERFE, EPO, HPC, NPT, and cTnT detected immediately post-race, irrespective of the group factor. Vitamin D3 supplementation showed a notable interaction with the UM, specifically in EPO and cTnT, with no other additional changes in the other analysed markers. In addition to the correlation between baseline FER and post-run ERFE, HPC was modified by vitamin D. The ultramarathon significantly influenced the EPO/ERFE/HPC axis; however, a single substantial dose of vitamin D3 had an effect only on EPO, which was associated with the lower heart damage marker cTnT after the run.

Department of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise Medical University of Gdańsk 80 211 Gdańsk Poland

Department of Biological Foundations of Physical Education Faculty of Health Sciences and Physical Education Kazimierz Wielki University 85 064 Bydgoszcz Poland

Department of Cardiology and Electrotherapy Medical University of Gdansk 80 214 Gdansk Poland

Department of Gymnastics and Dance Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport 80 336 Gdańsk Poland

Department of Theory and Methodology of Physical Education and Sport Faculty of Health Sciences and Physical Education Kazimierz Wielki University 85 064 Bydgoszcz Poland

Faculty of Health Sciences University of Lomza 18 400 Łomża Poland

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University 16 252 Prague Czech Republic

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