Basal Hormones and Biochemical Markers as Predictors of Overtraining Syndrome in Male Athletes: The EROS-BASAL Study
Authors: Flavio A Cadegiani
Claudio E Kater
Journal: Journal of Athletic Training (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: hormonal physiology; metabolism; sports endocrinology.
Affiliations: Adrenal and Hypertension Unit, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil

Abstract:  Context: Overtraining syndrome (OTS) and related conditions cause decreased training performance and fatigue through an imbalance among training volume, nutrition, and recovery time. No definitive biochemical markers of OTS currently exist. Objective: To compare muscular, hormonal, and inflammatory parameters among OTS-affected athletes, healthy athletes, and sedentary controls. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or other participants: Fifty-one men aged 18 to 50 years (14 OTS-affected athletes [OTS group], 25 healthy athletes [ATL group], and 12 healthy sedentary participants [NCS group]), with a body mass index of 20 to 30.0 kg/m2 (sedentary) or 20 to 33.0 kg/m2 (athletes), recruited through social media. All 39 athletes performed both endurance and resistance sports. Main outcome measure(s): We measured total testosterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor 1, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyronine, total and fractioned catecholamines and metanephrines, lactate, ferritin, creatinine, creatine kinase, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, lipid profile, hemogram, and testosterone : estradiol, testosterone : cortisol, neutrophil : lymphocyte, platelet: lymphocyte, and catecholamine : metanephrine ratios. Each parameter was statistically analyzed through 3-group comparisons, and whenever P &lt; .05, pairwise comparisons were performed (OTS × ATL, OTS × NCS, and ATL × NCS). Results: Neutrophils and testosterone were lower in the OTS group than in the ATL group but similar between the OTS and NCS groups. Creatine kinase, lactate, estradiol, total catecholamines, and dopamine were higher in the OTS group than in the ATL and NCS groups, whereas the testosterone : estradiol ratio was lower, even after adjusting for all variables. Lymphocytes were lower in the ATL group than in the OTS and NCS groups. The ATL and OTS groups trained with the same intensity, frequency, and types of exercise. Conclusions: At least in males, OTS was typified by increased estradiol, decreased testosterone, overreaction of muscle tissue to physical exertion, and immune system changes, with deconditioning effects of the adaptive changes observed in healthy athletes. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Images in Figure 5 appear to share features, although with different dimensions. Left: Original Fig 5; Right: marked. *** ![file] , 
 Apologies, hereu2019s the caption: Figure 5: Morphology of the retina. Representative histology (hematoxylin and eosin stained) images of rat retina. Panel A: ADan-red; panel B: ADan-oxi; panel C: Au03b21-40; and panel D: Au03b21-42. , 
 #1 Thank you for your attention. We have verified the images. The images in Figure 5C (Left Panel) and 5D (Left Panel) marked with green border represent vehicle (DMSO) injected controls hence there was a mix-up. However, images in Figure 5B (Right Panel) and 5C (Right Panel) marked with the blue border have been taken at different locations of the same section. Images in Figure 5A (Left Panel) and 5D (Right Panel) marked with the red border are similar. This mistake has occurred inadvertently during the selection of images for preparing the final panel for publication. We communicate to the journal about this inadvertent mistake to notify an erratum to this effect. This correction does not change in any way the content of the study. G Bhanuprakash Reddy , 
 The duplications in Figure 5 do not appear to be simple errors during the preparation of this Figure. These are not simple duplications, but instead appear to show stretching in the panels marked in green and blue, suggesting that these are more than just figure assembly errors. Even if these are errors, it is unexpected that 3 errors were made in a single figure. Could the authors please comment how three inadvertent mistakes could happen within one figure? Here is a redo of the duplicate panels in Figure 5, showing the exact areas of overlap. Note the different shapes of the green and blue boxes. ![file] , 
 In addition, could the authors please comment on the unexpected similarities between lanes 2 and 6 in Figure 3? These 2 lanes share many similarities if one of these lanes is mirrored around a vertical axis. Here is what I see marked in orange boxes. ![file] , 
 Dear Pub peers, Thank you for your interest and attention. Regarding the issue of duplication of images in Figure 5 (#4), we have already communicated to the journal about this inadvertent mistake and submitted a corrected Figure with proper images with a request to notify an erratum to this effect. Further, we sincerely apologise the readers for this error. With respect to the similarities between lanes 2 and 6 in Figure 3 (#5), unlike immunoblots, these are not the cut-paste lanes, but it is a single(complete) gel image. Incidentally and (that too curiously in the mirrored vertical axis) they may appear similar but not identical. Once again, we thank you very much for your efforts in alerting us with such possibilities and errors. G Bhanuprakash Reddy , 
 Retracted July 31, 2021.  The authors and the publisher would like to inform that the article u201cAlzheimer s and Danish dementia peptides induce cataract and perturb retinal architecture in ratsu201d has been retracted due to concerns about the scientific creditability of Figure 3 and Figure 5. ,