Plasma B-6 vitamer changes following a 50-km ultra-marathon

The purpose of this study was to measure plasma B-6 vitamers, and other factors which may affect the plasma concentrations of these vitamers under extreme physical conditions. Blood samples were drawn from 8 men and 3 women (43.7 +/- 8.6 years) 30 min prior to the start of a 50-km ultramarathon race (pre), and at 5 (PST) and 60 (PST60) min post race. HPLC was used to measure plasma pyridoxal 5O-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxine (PN), and 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA). Plasma glucose, albumin, lactate, and alkaline phosphatase activity, as well as hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were measured. Food and liquid intake was assessed during the run. There was a significant (p <.001) decrease in the plasma PLP concentration between pre and PST, with a mean decrease of 12.9 +/- 8.8 nmol/L (31% decrease). At PST60, there was a further decrease in plasma PLP concentration bringing the total decrease to 17.9 nmol/L (44%). The plasma TB6 concentration also decreased after the run, but the mean decrease was only 13.5 nmol/L (pre to PST60). PL increased 25% after the run, and did not change further at PST60. The mean plasma 4-PA concentration increased 21% post run and decreased to just below the pre-run value 1 hr post race. The plasma PLP decrease measured in the current study is not consistent with what has previously been reported during shorter length endurance studies.