Plasma cardiovascular stress biomarkers response to marathon running.

BACKGROUND

Habitual physical activity is known to support cardiovascular health. However, when intensive exercise is performed for long durations, it can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. We evaluated the exercise-induced physiological responses of cardiac markers in male marathon runners based on basal plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels, a metabolite related to major adverse cardiovascular events.

METHODS

Blood samples from 28 marathon runners were collected two weeks before the marathon run (baseline), after finishing the race (post-marathon), and two weeks after the race (2 weeks post-marathon). Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), endothelin-1 (ET-1), galectin-3, pentraxin-3, human growth differentiation factor 15, and neopterin were determined by the enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma trimethylamine (TMA) and TMAO were measured by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method.

RESULTS

Running a marathon increased levels of circulating biomarkers. A greater post-marathon elevation of cTnI and ET-1 was associated with baseline plasma TMAO levels (R ​= ​0.400, p ​= ​0.035 and R ​= ​0.476, p ​= ​0.012, respectively). Moreover, we observed an increase in post-marathon TMA levels.

CONCLUSION

Greater post-marathon elevation of cTnI and ET-1 was associated with higher baseline plasma TMAO levels. Therefore, TMAO could potentially serve as a new marker in assessing the response of cardiovascular stress biomarkers to marathon running.