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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(08): 688-695
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1398535
Immunology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Impact of a 24-h Ultra-Marathon on Circulatory Endotoxin and Cytokine Profile

S. K. Gill
1   Sport & Exercise Science Applied Research Group, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
,
J. Hankey
1   Sport & Exercise Science Applied Research Group, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
,
A. Wright
1   Sport & Exercise Science Applied Research Group, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
,
S. Marczak
1   Sport & Exercise Science Applied Research Group, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
,
K. Hemming
1   Sport & Exercise Science Applied Research Group, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
,
D. M. Allerton
2   Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
,
P. Ansley-Robson
2   Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
,
R. J. S. Costa
3   Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Notting Hill, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 27 November 2014

Publication Date:
05 May 2015 (online)

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Abstract

The study aimed to determine circulatory endotoxin concentration, cytokine profile, and gastrointestinal symptoms of ultra-endurance runners (UER, n=17) in response to a 24-h continuous ultra-marathon competition (total distance range: 122–208 km) conducted in temperate ambient conditions (0–20°C) in mountainous terrain. Body mass and body temperature were measured, and venous blood samples were taken before and immediately after competition. Samples were analysed for gram-negative bacterial endotoxin, C-reactive protein, cytokine profile, and plasma osmolality. Gastrointestinal symptoms were also monitored throughout competition. Mean exercise-induced body mass loss was (mean±SD) 1.7±1.8% in UER. Pre- and post-competition plasma osmolality in UER was 286±11 mOsmol·kg−1 and 286±9 mOsmol·kg−1, respectively. Pre- to post-competition increases (p<0.05) were observed for endotoxin (37%), C-reactive protein (2 832%), IL-6 (3 436%), IL-1β (332%), TNF-α (35%), IL-10 (511%), and IL-8 (239%) concentrations in UER, with no change in the control group (CON; n=12) observed (p>0.05). Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 75% of UER, with no symptoms reported by CON. IL-10 (r=0.535) and IL-8 (r=0.503) were positively correlated with gastrointestinal symptoms. A 24-h continuous ultra-marathon competition in temperate ambient conditions resulted in a circulatory endotoxaemia and pro-inflammatory cytokinaemia, counteracted by a compensatory anti-inflammatory response.

Key words

inflammatory - cytokinaemia - endotoxaemia - sleep deprivation - energy balance - physical exertion
 

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