Abstract

Leptin is the product of the ob gene and circulates as a 16 kDa protein hormone. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is known to be a sensitive marker of inflammation and cardiovascular risk factor and malondialdehyde (MDA) is a direct marker of oxidative stress and naturally occurring product of lipid peroxidation. The resting serum leptin, hs-CRP and MDA levels of elite adolescent soccer players and physically active adolescents were investigated. Eighteen elite adolescent soccer players aged 14.3±0.3 years and eighteen physically active subjects aged 14.6±0.4 years participated in the study. Resting serum leptin levels were not different, but hs-CRP and MDA levels were higher in adolescent elite soccer players compared to physically active adolescents. Therefore, participation in prolonged soccer training increased resting serum hs-CRP and MDA levels but had no effect on resting serum leptin compared to participation in sports activities/classes in adolescents.

Key words: Soccer, training, leptin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), biochemistry.