Biochemia Medica, Vol. 22 No. 2, 2012.
Original scientific paper
Cardiac indexes, cardiac damage biomarkers and energy expenditure in professional cyclists during the Giro d’Italia 3-weeks stage race
Roberto Corsetti
; Liquigas-Cannondale Pro-cycling Team, Medical Board, Faenza, Italia
Giovanni Lombardi
; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italia
Alessandra Barassi
; Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, University of Milano, Milano, Italia
Patrizia Lanteri
; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italia
Alessandra Colombini
; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italia
Gianvico Melzi D’Eril
; Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, University of Milano, Milano, Italia
Giuseppe Banfi
; I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milano, Italia; Chair of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine University of Milano, Milano, Italia
Abstract
Introduction: The study of cardiac response to strenuous and continuous exercise is crucial to un-derstanding the physiology of endurance. N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a potential marker for monitoring myocardial wall stress, and troponins (TnT and TnI) are widely used in the diagnosis of cardiac ischemia and infarction. Strenuous exercise may generate transitory ische-mia, myocardial stress, and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, inducing the increased production of both these biomarkers. We measured changes in NT-proBNP and TnT in elite cyclists during a 3-week stage race, a model of strenuous exercise.
Materials and methods: The study population was 9 professional cyclists participating in the 2011 Giro d’Italia. Pre-analytical and analytical phases scrupulously followed official recommendations. Anthropometric data, net energy expenditure and cardiac indexes (rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressure) were recorded. Blood samples were drawn pre-race (day -1) and at days 12 and 22; NT-proBNP and highly sensitive-troponin (Hs-TnT) concentrations were assayed and corrected for plas-ma volume changes.
Results: Body-mass index decreased and energy expenditure increased by 52% during the race. NT-proBNP concentrations increased [day -1: 23.52 ng/L (9.67-34.33); day 12: 63.46 ng/L (22.15-93.31); P = 0.039; day 22: 89.26 ng/L (34.66-129.78) vs. day -1; P < 0.001] and correlated with heart rate (r = -0.51; P = 0.006), systolic pressure (r = 0.39; P = 0.046) and energy expenditure (r = 0.70; P < 0.001). TnT concentrations did not vary, but a widened TnT amplitude distribution was observed.
Conclusions: Increases in NT-proBNP correlated with higher energy expenditure over a 3-week cy-cling stage race, possibly indicating myocardial stress.
Keywords
amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; troponin T; physical endurance; energy expenditure
Hrčak ID:
83228
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2012.
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