Conflicting data exist on the relevance of marathon (M) and half marathon (HM) running for health. The number of non-professional athletes finishing M and HM events is steadily growing. In order to investigate molecular changes occurring in amateur athletes, we enrolled 70 non-professional runners finishing a single M (34) or HM (36) event at baseline, the finish line and during recovery, and 30 controls. The measurement of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts, Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist, ST2 and cytokeratin 18 was combined with molecules measured during clinical routine. Results were analyzed in the light of blood cell analysis, lactate measurements, correction for changes in plasma volume and body composition assessments. There were intrinsic differences in body mass index, abdominal body fat percentage and training time between M and HM runners. C-reactive protein changes in M and HM runners. While soluble RAGE, AGEs and ST2 increased immediately after the race in HM runners, HMGB1 increased in HM and M after the race and declined to baseline after a recovery period. We give insights into the regulation of various molecules involved in physical stress reactions and their possible implications for the cardiovascular system or renal function.

No abstract

Molecular and clinical studies have linked vitamin D (vitD) deficiency to several aspects of muscle performance. For this retrospective cross-sectional study data from 297 male (M) and 284 female (F) healthy recreational athletes were used to evaluate the prevalence of vitD deficiency in athletes living in Austria and to determine whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) correlates with maximal (Pmax) and submaximal physical performance (Psubmax) measured on a treadmill ergometer. The data were controlled for age, season, weekly training hours (WTH), body mass index (BMI) and smoking status. 96 M and 75 F had 25(OH)D levels ≤ 20 ng/mL. 25(OH)D levels showed seasonal variations, but no seasonal differences in Pmax and Psubmax were detected. M with 25(OH)D levels ≤ 20 ng/mL had significantly lower Psubmax (p = 0.045) than those with normal levels. In F no significant differences in Pmax or Psubmax were detected. Stepwise multiple regression analysis including all covariates revealed significant correlations between 25(OH)D levels and Pmax (β = 0.138, p = 0.003) and Psubmax (β = 0.152, p = 0.002) in M. Interestingly, for F significant correlations between 25(OH)D and both Pmax and Psubmax disappeared after adding WTH to the model. In conclusion, our data suggest that 25(OH)D status is associated with physical performance especially in M, while in F, WTH and BMI seem to affect the correlation.

Exercise is the most common trigger of bronchospasm. Heat shock protein (HSP) expression was linked to asthmatic patients. The prevalence and pathophysiology of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in non-professional non-asthmatic runners is unknown. We sought to investigate the frequency of EIB and cytokine changes in non-professional non-asthmatic marathon and half marathoners with and without EIB. Testing was performed before the marathon (baseline), immediately post-marathon at the finish area (peak), and 2–7 days after the marathon (recovery): immunosorbent assays for measurement of HSP70, blood count analysis, spirometry and temperature measurements. We experienced a decline in FEV1 of ≥10% in 35.29% of marathon and 22.22% of half marathon runners. Runners with EIB had significantly higher HSP70 serum concentrations at baseline than those without EIB (987.4 ± 1486.7 vs. 655.6 ± 1073.9; p = 0.014). Marathoners with EIB had significantly increased WBC before participating in the competition (7.4 ± 1.7 vs. 6.0 ± 1.5; p = 0.021). After recovery we found increased HSP70 serum concentrations in marathoners with EIB compared to those without (2539.2 ± 1692.5 vs. 1237.2 ± 835.2; p = 0.032), WBC (7.6 ± 1.8 vs. 6.4 ± 1.6; p = 0.048) and PLT (273.0 ± 43.0 vs 237.2 ± 48.3; p = 0.040). At all measured skin sites skin temperatures in runners were significantly lower immediately after participating in the competition when compared to temperature before the race (skin temperature baseline vs. peak: abdominal: 33.1 ± 0.2 vs. 30.0 ± 0.4; p < 0.001; upper arm: 31.6 ± 0.2 vs. 29.4 ± 0.3; p < 0.001; upper leg: 30.7 ± 0.3 vs. 29.4 ± 0.2; p = 0.014; lower leg: 30.6 ± 1.0 vs. 30.2 ± 1.5; p = 0.007). We found a higher than expected number of non-professional athletes with EIB. HSP70 serum concentrations and elevated WBC could indicate a predisposition to EIB.

The mucin layer of the bladder covering the transitional epithelium is thought to be an anti-adherence substance for bacteria. We have previously demonstrated that removal of this layer results in increased bacterial colonization. In this present communication we report our attempts to isolate and characterize the components of the mucin layer. Bladders were removed from female NZW rabbits and the mucosal layer was extracted with 0.1 M NaCl. Fractional centrifugation and column chromatography on AcA 34 and AcA 22 resulted in the separation of a partially purified glycoprotein, containing 30% carbohydrate, migrating as a single peak (4.5S) in the analytical ultracentrifuge. It was immunogenic in mice and the antisera were used to develop both a radioimmunoassay and an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antigenic activity of the glycoprotein was destroyed by protease or extremes of pH, but not by several glycosidases. In addition the murine antisera could not be inhibited by a panel of naturally occurring glycoproteins or glycosaminoglycans.