Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has been evidenced to be lower than phisyologycal values during exercise with a strong negative correlation with exercise intensity. Among new markers of renal function Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) seems to be very promising. It is an early, sensible and specific marker of acute kidney injury (AKI) with two isoforms: plasma NGAL (pNGAL) and urinary NGAL (uNGAL). The aim of the present study was to assess acute variations in NGAL plasma levels after performing high endurance physical exercise in a group of professional cyclists during the two major European professional cycling competitions (Giro D’Italia and Tour de France). Eighteen professional cyclistis were recruited for the study. A blood sample was collected during rest (after 8 hours fasting) and immediately after the competition (mountain stages) in order to assess the effect of very intense exercise on kidney function by measuring the variations of pNGAL. We also assessed plasma levels ofcreatinine, creatine-kinase (CK), LDH, transaminases and electrolytes. . Results showed that Creatinine, CK and electrolytes levels remained almost stable between rest and post-competition. As for transaminases and NGAL, their levels showed a mild increase between rest and post-competition, with a significant difference between the two values only for transaminases (p=0.005). However, post-competition values of all investigated variables remained within the physiological range. The results of the present study suggest that even if NGAL values mildly rose after competition, no kidney injury occurred in these highly trained athletes during mountain stages of professional competitions. Other studies in literature confirmed that high endurance physical exercise seems not to cause renal injury in elite athletes. This is probably due to adaptive mechanisms of renal function and to the adaptation to physical stress gained with training.
Assessment of pN-GAL as a marker of renal function in elite cyclists during professional competitions
Fossati C;Quaranta F;Minganti C;Di Luigi L;Borrione P
2017-01-01
Abstract
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has been evidenced to be lower than phisyologycal values during exercise with a strong negative correlation with exercise intensity. Among new markers of renal function Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) seems to be very promising. It is an early, sensible and specific marker of acute kidney injury (AKI) with two isoforms: plasma NGAL (pNGAL) and urinary NGAL (uNGAL). The aim of the present study was to assess acute variations in NGAL plasma levels after performing high endurance physical exercise in a group of professional cyclists during the two major European professional cycling competitions (Giro D’Italia and Tour de France). Eighteen professional cyclistis were recruited for the study. A blood sample was collected during rest (after 8 hours fasting) and immediately after the competition (mountain stages) in order to assess the effect of very intense exercise on kidney function by measuring the variations of pNGAL. We also assessed plasma levels ofcreatinine, creatine-kinase (CK), LDH, transaminases and electrolytes. . Results showed that Creatinine, CK and electrolytes levels remained almost stable between rest and post-competition. As for transaminases and NGAL, their levels showed a mild increase between rest and post-competition, with a significant difference between the two values only for transaminases (p=0.005). However, post-competition values of all investigated variables remained within the physiological range. The results of the present study suggest that even if NGAL values mildly rose after competition, no kidney injury occurred in these highly trained athletes during mountain stages of professional competitions. Other studies in literature confirmed that high endurance physical exercise seems not to cause renal injury in elite athletes. This is probably due to adaptive mechanisms of renal function and to the adaptation to physical stress gained with training.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
