Muscle Trauma and Immune Activation after a Downhill Marathon (Tyrolean Speed Marathon)

Abstract

Prolonged physical exercise is associated with multiple changes in the immune status indicating an acute phase response and an activation of the immune system. Eccentric muscle activation (e.g. downhill running) induces micro-trauma of skeletal muscles thus inducing an inflammatory response. At present there are no data to which extent the immune system is activated after a downhill marathon run and if there arc any correlations between immune activation and markers for muscle damage or functional impairment of leg muscles. As model for severe eccentric exercise we selected the Tyrolean Speed Marathon (42 km downhill run, 795 m vertical difference). 13 volunteers (12 male, 1 female; mean running time 224 min [range 193 -266 min.]) finished the run. Blood from antecubital veins was collected 3-4 days before (T1 ), 3-4 hrs before (T2) and immediately after the marathon (T3) as well as on the morning after the run (T4). We measured serum neopterin concentrations, white blood cell count. C-reactive protein (CRP), creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (Mb), cardiac troponin I (cTnl) and troponin Τ (cTnT). Moreover, isokinetic muscle tests were performed. Following significant changes were found (before vs. after the run): increase in neopterin, CRP, total leukocyte count, CK. Mb, cTnl, cTnT, whereas isokinetic dynamometry showed a reduction in peak hamstring torque of both thighs after the marathon. There were no significant correlations (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient) between the observed changes in neopterin and CRP, CK, Mb. cTnT, c I ni or between neopterin concentrations and parameters of isokinetic muscle tests. We could demonstrate that a 42 km downhill marathon is associated a) with an activation of the cellular immune system, as evidenced by the increase in serum-neopterin. b) pronounced micro-skeletal muscle damage with high serum creatine kinase and myoglobin, and c) eccentric hamstring fatigue. The absolute changes in neopterin were moderate and similar to other types of exercise (flat course and bicycle marathon, mountain hiking).

Cardiac troponins after a downhill marathon

“…One likely mechanism could be an exercise triggered systemic inflammatory response. We observed specific changes after the Tyrolean Speed Marathon which are indicative for an activation of the immune system, but did not find differences in inflammatory markers after eccentric activity compared to concentric activity [8]. Moreover, several studies have found an association between high levels of (NT-pro) BNP and ischemia.…”

Measurement of changes in urinary neopterin and total neopterin in body builders using SCX HPLC

“…The current study identified a lack of statistical change throughout the week of training, suggesting that no one day provided more inflammation than another, even though they were statistically elevated above control values on specific days. Previous studies have identified immediate increases in plasma neopterin and other inflammatory cytokines post-exercise [31,49,50] suggesting the delay in sample collection in the current study may have masked the full extent of total immune system activation. Since muscle damage and subsequently inflammation occur following resistance exercise, the delay in sample collection still allows communication between T-cells and macrophages and the production of neopterin and 7,8-dihydroneopterin at sites of muscle damage.…”

“…The communication of T cells and macrophages and the subsequent release of neopterin makes it an effective marker of immune system activation and inflammation [21,29]. Several studies have identified the rise of neopterin in plasma and urine following exercise [30][31][32][33]. Our thought is that the damage to muscle as a result of eccentric loading and hypertrophy training will increase the amount of macrophages present at these sites, and subsequently produce higher concentrations of 7,8-dihydroneopterin which can be oxidized to neopterin.…”

Assessing the Effectiveness of Selected Biomarkers in the Acute and Cumulative Physiological Stress Response in Professional Rugby Union through Non-invasive Assessment

“…120 mins) and immediately post-game (game 1: 37.3 ± 10.1 min, game 2: 41.6 ± 13.8 min, game 3: 33.9 ± 16.4 min) during 3 selected home games of the 2013 ITM Cup. Immediate post-game sample collection was chosen based on all markers peaking within an hour after exercise [16,48,60]. Fluids and food were provided by the team (750 ml water, 375 ml coconut water, 200 ml protein shake, fruit, chicken sushi, soup and fried chicken) and each player had been asked to do a 10 min cold bath post-game.…”