INTRODUCTION:
Although the practice of physical exercises reduces the cardiovascular risk, recent studies have documented elevations in cardiac injury biomarkers after prolonged exercises in apparently healthy individuals.
OBJECTIVE:
We aimed to investigate the changes in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels after a marathon, and the correlation of these biomarkers and the variables of cardiopulmonary test.
METHODS:
We studied 38 male athletes (40.9 ± 6.29 years old) participants at the São Paulo International Marathon, SP, Brasil. Blood collections were performed to measure cTnT and BNP 24h before, immediately after and 24h after the marathon. Cardiopulmonary test was performed in the three weeks preceding the marathon.
RESULTS:
BNP and cTnT values increased significantly after the marathon (p<0.001). In the third moment (24h) the troponin values returned to the baseline values. We found no correlation between age and variables of the marathon, however, we did find a correlation between the biomarkers and time to complete the marathon.
CONCLUSION:
Various causes of release may be presumed for cTnT and BNP, however, they do not seem to reflect into myocardial injury, and there is no relationship between the releases of the two biomarkers.
troponin t; biological markers; natriuretic peptide; brain physical endurance
