title: Ultra-endurance exercise induces stress and inflammation and affects circulating hematopoietic progenitor cell function.
abstract: Although amateur sports have become increasingly competitive within recent decades, there are as yet few studies on the possible health risks for athletes. This study aims to determine the impact of ultra-endurance exercise-induced stress on the number and function of circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells (CPCs) and hematological, inflammatory, clinical, metabolic, and stress parameters in moderately trained amateur athletes. Following ultra-endurance exercise, there were significant increases in leukocytes, platelets, interleukin-6, fibrinogen, tissue enzymes, blood lactate, serum cortisol, and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Ultra-endurance exercise did not influence the number of CPCs but resulted in a highly significant decline of CPC functionality after the competition. Furthermore, Epstein-Barr virus was seen to be reactivated in one of seven athletes. The link between exercise-induced stress and decline of CPC functionality is supported by a negative correlation between cortisol and CPC function. We conclude that ultra-endurance exercise induces metabolic stress and an inflammatory response that affects not only mature hematopoietic cells but also the function of the immature hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell fraction, which make up the immune system and provide for regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stelzer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, Exercise Physiology Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.|Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kröpfl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pekovits
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.|BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mangge
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Raggam
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prüller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science, Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Truschnig-Wilders
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Obermayer-Pietsch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels-Grieskirchen, Austria.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Haushofer
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Molecular Diagnostics, IHMEM, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiac Rehabilitation, SKA-PVA St. Radegund, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mächler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010976:Platelet Count; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005340:Fibrinogen; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Circulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells; functionality; inflammation; stress; ultra-endurance exercise