Exercise-induced proteinuria in well-trained athletes

Abstract

We studied the rate of urinary excretion of albumin, alpha 1-microglobulin (as an indicator of the renal tubular involvement), sodium, potassium, and creatinine in the basal state (overnight urine collection) and after physical exercise (training session) in 10 professional cyclists, to verify whether protein excretion is increased even in well-trained athletes after physical effort. In addition, we wanted to understand whether the origin of exercise-induced proteinuria was glomerular, tubular, or both. Compared with the basal state (overnight collection), exercise significantly (P less than 0.01) increased the excretion rate of albumin (4.2 +/- 2.6 micrograms/min vs 18.1 +/- 10.6 micrograms/min, mean +/- SD), Na, and K, and also the urinary volume. Creatinine output was not affected by exercise. The mean (+/- SD) overnight excretion rate of albumin by athletes was quite similar to that found for 91 healthy nonathletes at rest (4.6 +/- 2.7 micrograms/min). The mean exercise-related excretion of alpha 1-microglobulin by the athletes significantly exceeded the overnight value (6.6 vs 0.3 mg/L, P = 0.037). Our study indicates that (a) albuminuria furnishes the greater contribution to the increase in exercise-induced proteinuria; (b) the exercise proteinuria is both glomerular and tubular in origin, and is reversible; (c) the enhanced protein requirement of athletes may in part be due to the recurrent excretion of proteins in the urine after physical effort.

The Effect of One Session Acute Exercise on the Urinary Excretion of Urinary Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase, Protein and Creatinine Levels of Elite Football Players

“…In line with the present study, they observed that creatinine excretion increased after physical activity. These results were inconsistent with those of the research conducted by Rasm et al (1974), William (1970), Clerico (1990), and Poortmans (1978). It seems that difference can be due to differences between football field and other sports and differences between Football players and other sports players in terms of physical pressure imposed on athletes and exercise pressures.…”

Variability in response to albuminuria‐lowering drugs: true or random?

“…Changes in albuminuria over time, however, can also be the result of other factors not related to drug intervention. It is well known that albuminuria shows a substantial within‐individual day‐to‐day variability that can be attributed to physical activity , analytical factors, measurement variability , posture or fever . These daily fluctuations hamper the accuracy of drug efficacy monitoring.…”

Evaluation the Frequency of Hematuria and Proteinuria After Physical Activities, and its Relationship with the Underlying Factors in Selected Soldiers

“…Albuminuria, a type of Proteinuria, was shown in all athletes after exercise that was due to the increased need for protein in athletes. While the proteinuria was directly related to the severity of exercise 22 . In a study by Kohanpour in 2002, which was aimed to investigate the effect of the intensity of aerobic activity on proteinuria in young soccer players, a sharp rise in urine albumin was shown immediately after exercise, followed by decrease in about 45 minutes later, but not to normal level (25).…”