Changes in gastrointestinal cell integrity after marathon running and exercise-associated collapse.

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Gastroenterology
• Biomarker research

Background:

• Endurance exercise, particularly marathons, can compromise intestinal integrity.
• Hyperthermia during exercise exacerbates intestinal permeability and endotoxemia.
• Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) is a marker of intestinal wall damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of I-FABP as a biomarker for intestinal integrity after marathon running.
• To compare I-FABP levels in marathon runners with and without exercise-associated collapse (EAC) and hyperthermia.

Main Methods:

• Sequential measurement of I-FABP in 24 control runners before, during, and after a marathon.
• Measurement of I-FABP in 8 runners with EAC and hyperthermia at the time of collapse and 1 hour later.

Main Results:

• I-FABP levels significantly increased immediately post-marathon in control runners.
• Runners with EAC and hyperthermia exhibited significantly higher I-FABP levels compared to controls.
• Elevated I-FABP levels persisted for an extended period in EAC cases, suggesting ongoing intestinal stress.

Conclusions:

• I-FABP is a sensitive biomarker for intestinal wall damage following marathon running.
• Exercise-associated collapse (EAC) with hyperthermia leads to a more pronounced and prolonged increase in I-FABP.
• I-FABP levels can indicate sustained intestinal wall stress in endurance athletes.