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-1 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.