The influence of high-intensity moderate duration exercise on cardiac troponin I and C-reactive protein in sled dogs.
BACKGROUND
C-reactive protein (CRP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are biomarkers of systemic inflammation and cardiac damage, respectively.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of short-duration high-intensity exercise on plasma cTnI and serum CRP concentrations in sprint racing sled dogs.


METHODS
Twenty-two Alaskan sled dogs of 2 different teams participating in a 2-day racing event.


METHODS
In this prospective field study, cephalic venipuncture was performed on all dogs before racing and immediately after racing on 2 consecutive days. Plasma cTnI and serum CRP concentrations were evaluated at each time point.


RESULTS
There was a mild, significant rise (P<.01) in median cTnI concentrations from resting (0.02 ng/mL; 0.0-0.12 ng/mL) on both days after racing (day 1=0.06, 0.02-0.2 ng/mL; day 2=0.07, 0.02-0.21 ng/mL). Serum CRP concentrations showed a mild significant increase (P<.01) on day 2 after racing mean (9.2±4.6 μg/mL) as compared with resting (6.5+4.3 μg/mL) and day 1 after racing (5.0+2.9 μg/mL). Neither cTnI or CRP concentrations exceeded the upper reference range for healthy dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Strenuous exercise of short duration did not result in cTnI concentrations above the reference range for healthy dogs. Although increased after 2 days of short-duration strenuous exercise, CRP did not reach concentrations suggestive of inflammation, as reported previously in the endurance sled dogs. Therefore, we surmise that moderate exercise does not present a confounding variable in the interpretation of cTnI and CRP concentrations in normal dogs.
Wakshlag
J J
JJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. dr.joesh@gmail.com
Kraus
M S
MS
Gelzer
A R
AR
Downey
R L
RL
Vacchani
P
P
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I; D002097:C-Reactive Protein