Plasma cardiovascular stress biomarkers response to marathon running

Background: Habitual physical activity is known to support cardiovascular health. However, when intensive exercise is performed for long durations, it can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. We evaluated the exercise-induced physiological responses of cardiac markers in male marathon runners based on basal plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels, a metabolite related to major adverse cardiovascular events. Methods: Blood samples from 28 marathon runners were collected two weeks before the marathon run (baseline), after finishing the race (post-marathon), and two weeks after the race (2 weeks post-marathon). Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), endothelin-1 (ET-1), galectin-3, pentraxin-3, human growth differentiation factor 15, and neopterin were determined by the enzyme immunoassay method. Plasma trimethylamine (TMA) and TMAO were measured by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Results: ​= ​0.012, respectively). Moreover, we observed an increase in post-marathon TMA levels. Conclusion: Greater post-marathon elevation of cTnI and ET-1 was associated with higher baseline plasma TMAO levels. Therefore, TMAO could potentially serve as a new marker in assessing the response of cardiovascular stress biomarkers to marathon running.