Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-15, and heat shock protein 72 (Hsp72) are molecules that have significant metabolic effects on glucose and fat metabolism and a cell’s stress response. The aim of this study is to determine serum levels of these molecules in runners after a long-distance trail run. Serum IL-15 levels after such endurance events have not been investigated yet. Blood samples were collected from 37 athletes (11 female, 26 male) before and after a 35-km trail run, with a total climb of 940 m. Serum was obtained from the samples, and IL-6, IL-15, and Hsp72 levels were measured from using the sandwich ELISA method. The athletes completed the race in 308.3 ± 37.4 min on average. After the race, the mean serum IL-6, IL-15, and Hsp72 concentrations increased 13.2-fold, 2.22-fold, and 1.6-fold, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.039, respectively). This is the first study to demonstrate the increase in serum IL-15 levels following an acute endurance exercise. In addition to IL-15, we report that IL-6 and soluble Hsp72 levels also increased significantly following a 35-km trail run. Since these molecules are involved in regulating glucose and fat metabolism, significant increases of IL-6, IL-15, and soluble Hsp72 may have health benefits that may be associated with long-distance trail runs, which are becoming more popular worldwide.
The use of prohibited substances in the world of sport, in and out of competition, is a major global problem. A number of similar studies have been conducted in other parts of the world that investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of athletes about doping. The results of those studies cannot entirely be extrapolated to elite Turkish athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate elite athletes' current knowledge of appropriate drug use, doping and use of supplements, and to explore the need for further education on these topics. A total of 202 Turkish athletes participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The data were collected through a questionnaire. A five-point Likert scale was used for questions. The most commonly used over-the-counter medications by athletes were painkillers (78.2%). A remarkable proportion of athletes considered painkillers (41.1%), protein powder (43.1%), and caffeine (41.1%) to be prohibited drugs. According to the athletes, physicians (84.6%) and coaches (78.6%) were the two most frequently used sources of information, and 87.6% of the athletes found the physician to be the most reliable source of information. Elite athletes have poor knowledge about doping in Turkey. There is an urgent need for educational anti-doping programmes to address the knowledge gaps observed amongst athletes in this study.
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