Ultramarathon Plasma Metabolomics: Phosphatidylcholine Levels Associated with Running Performance.

Area of Science:

• * Sports Medicine
• * Human Physiology
• * Metabolomics

Background:

• * Endurance running performance is influenced by various physiological factors.
• * Metabolomic profiling offers insights into biochemical adaptations during intense exercise.
• * Identifying specific biomarkers can enhance understanding of athletic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To identify plasma metabolites associated with superior endurance running performance.
• * To investigate the relationship between phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and choline levels with race times.
• * To compare metabolite levels in elite runners versus non-athletic controls.

Main Methods:

• * Non-targeted and targeted metabolomic analysis of plasma samples from Western States Endurance Run participants.
• * Correlation of metabolite levels (PCs, choline) with race finish times.
• * Comparison of metabolite concentrations between runners and controls.

Main Results:

• * Four phosphatidylcholines (PCs) were significantly higher in faster finishers in 2016.
• * Multiple PCs were elevated in faster runners both pre- and post-race in 2017.
• * Runners exhibited higher pre-race choline levels, which decreased during the race, with faster finishers showing lower post-race choline.
• * Most PCs were higher in runners compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• * Plasma phosphatidylcholines are key metabolites associated with superior endurance running capacity.
• * Choline metabolism shifts during endurance events, with lower post-race levels correlating with faster performance.
• * Metabolomic signatures, particularly PCs, can serve as potential biomarkers for elite endurance performance.