Plasma pentraxin 3 concentration increases in endurance-trained men

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Exercise Science
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is produced in atherosclerotic regions and has known cardioprotective effects.
• Endurance exercise training also confers cardioprotection, but its impact on PTX3 levels was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether regular endurance exercise training elevates plasma PTX3 concentrations in men.
• To explore the relationship between PTX3 levels and markers of cardioprotection in trained individuals.

Main Methods:

• Plasma PTX3 concentrations were measured in 10 endurance-trained men and 12 sedentary controls.
• Systemic arterial compliance (SAC) and HDL cholesterol (HDLC) were determined as indices of cardioprotective effect.

Main Results:

• Endurance-trained men exhibited significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake, SAC, and HDLC compared to sedentary controls.
• Plasma PTX3 concentrations were markedly higher in endurance-trained men (0.93 ± 0.11 ng·mL⁻¹) versus sedentary controls (0.68 ± 0.06 ng·mL⁻¹).
• Linear relationships were observed between plasma PTX3 concentrations and both SAC and HDLC.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence that endurance-trained individuals have elevated circulating PTX3 levels.
• Elevated PTX3 may contribute to the cardioprotective benefits observed with endurance exercise training.