Changes in circulating cytokines and markers of muscle damage in elite cyclists during a multi‐stage competition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in the basal and post-exercise plasma markers of muscular damage, lipid peroxidation and cytokines in eight male well-trained semiprofessional cyclists, in response to a three consecutive-day cycling competition. Serum markers of oxidative and muscular damage - creatine kinase activity, lactate dehydrogenase activity, myoglobin and malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine and nitrite levels - followed a sawtooth-type representation throughout the competition. MDA showed an accumulative pattern, evidenced in the post-race values of the third stage which were significantly higher with respect to the values of the first stage. Cortisol levels were significantly influenced by an interaction between the exercise and the stage factors, with higher values on the 4th day. Plasma cytokine levels were only determined before the first stage and post-race, after the third stage. The exercise increased TNFα, IL6, IL2 and IFNγ levels, whereas IL1β was unchanged. In conclusion, cyclist stages induced oxidative and cellular muscle damage which is partially recovered to basal values by the next morning. Repetitive stages during the cycling competition accumulated plasma muscular damage and lipid peroxidation markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines, probably as a result of local inflammatory responses.

Declines in exercise performance are prevented 24 hours after post-exercise ischemic conditioning in amateur cyclists

“…Originally, the IR interventions, demonstrated cardiac and skeletal injury protection after prolonged ischemic insult [ 10 ], which is associated with an increase in tissue biomarkers (e.g., creatine kinase) [ 10 ] and oxidative damage [ 11 ]. These markers are similar to those found after cycling exercise [ 12 ] and professional cycling races [ 3 ]. Thus, we speculated that PEIC intervention, through elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO), could attenuate tissue and oxidative injury after metabolic and muscle stresses caused by cycling exercise.…”

“…Each competition commonly consists of consecutive races (e.g., two or eight days) lasting 115–240 min each day [ 1 , 2 ]. During these high-intensity competitions, the athletes deal with short recovery periods between trials (e.g., 24 h or less), which could decrease subsequent performance (i.e., hours or days later) [ 3 ].…”

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“…In a study of blood cytokine levels in well-trained cyclists who compete in multiday races, the levels of TNF- α , IL-6, IL-2, and IFN- γ were raised following intense exercise, indicating increased inflammation, whereas the level of IL-1 β was unchanged [ 21 ]. On the last day of an eighteen-day trial, cyclists given daily ketone ester (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate showed a 15% higher mean power output and 25% increase in the CD4 + /CD8 + (T helper cells/cytotoxic T cells) ratio than controls [ 22 ].…”

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“…Oxidative stress, muscular damage, increase in inflammation, and MS associated with a decreased performance have been all reported after exhaustive exercise performed by different athletes involved in different sports [3,38,39]. This especially over the course of the multi-day races (i.e.…”

“…This especially over the course of the multi-day races (i.e. 2 to 7 consecutive days of competition) [3,39] and with high training volumes [40]. This phenomenon may be useful for athletes and coaches searching strategies that minimize decrements in performance or to accelerate the recovery from fatiguing efforts.…”