Circulating levels of adhesion molecules and markers of endothelial activation in acute inflammation induced by prolonged brisk exercise

Objectives: To investigate circulating levels of adhesion molecules and markers of endothelial activation in acute inflammation induced by prolonged brisk exercise. Design and methods: The circulating levels of adhesion molecules E-, L- and P-selectins, intercellular and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), along with those of thrombomodulin (TM), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and cardiac troponin T, were measured before, at the end of and at 48 h post-race, in athletes participating in this extreme physical stress paradigm. Results: Levels of L- and P-selectins remained the same before and at the end of the "Spartathlon" race, presenting a similar decline at 48 h post-race. E-Selectin, ICAM-1 and TM reached a maximum value at the end of the race and returned to normal 48 h after the race. A similar profile was observed for VCAM-I and NT-pro-BNP, with a tendency for a decrease at 48 h post-race, while troponin T was not detected. Conclusions: The indices of endothelial activation are strongly affected during "Spartathlon" race, suggesting that, although prolonged brisk exercise activates the endothelium, it rapidly recovers. (c) 2007 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.