title: Growth-differentiation factor-15, endoglin and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide induction in athletes participating in an ultramarathon foot race.
abstract: We investigated the actions of growth-differentiation factor (GDF)-15, endoglin and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) in 15 male athletes who participated in the ultradistance foot race of the 246 km 'Sparthathlon'. Measurements were performed before (phase I), at the end of the race (phase II) and 48 h post-race (phase III). GDF-15 and endoglin serum concentrations were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and NT-pro-BNP plasma levels by electrochemiluminescence. GDF-15 levels were increased from phase I (563.9 +/- 57.1 pg ml(-1)) to phase II (2311.1 +/- 462.3 pg ml(-1)) and decreased at phase III (862.0 +/- 158.0 pg ml(-1)) (p < 0.0002). NT-pro-BNP levels followed a similar pattern to that of GDF-15 from 38.1 +/- 4.8 pg ml(-1) at phase I to 1280.6 +/- 259.0 pg ml(-1) at phase II and 89.8 +/- 13.6 pg ml(-1) at phase III (p < 0.0001) and at the same time points, endoglin levels were 4.7 +/- 0.2 ng ml(-1) at phase I, 5.8 +/- 0.2 ng ml(-1) at phase II and 4.3 +/- 0.2 ng ml(-1) at phase III (p < 0.002). These findings indicate that circulating GDF-15, endoglin and NT-pro-BNP levels reflect a transient endothelial dysfunction in these athletes who participated in a foot race consisting of continuous, prolonged and brisk exercise.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Unit of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Tchou
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Margeli
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Tsironi
authors: Katerina
authors: K
authors: Skenderi
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Barnet
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Kanaka-Gantenbein
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Papassotiriou
authors: Photis
authors: P
authors: Beris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD; D056352:Athletes; D000071063:Endoglin; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain