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.

Keywords::

• Exercise
• endothelium
• endoglin
• NT-pro-BNP
• GDF-15

Acknowledgements

Funding was received from Athens University and Roche Hellas (to I.P.) and from Geneva University (to P.B.). The funding sources played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication. Financial disclosures: none declared.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.