BackgroundThe Mexican Tarahumara are accustomed to running ultra-distance races. No data exist on the acute physiological changes following ultra-distance running and physiological-biomarker associations in this population. Thus, we aimed to investigate the acute impact (≤ 24 h) on functional and biochemical changes of the cardiac muscle and biochemical changes associated with kidney function following a 63-km ultra-distance race with an altitude difference of 1800 m in Mexican Tarahumara athletes.MethodsTen Tarahumara male athletes (mean ± SD age = 29.9 ± 6.6 years) volunteered to participate in the study. VO2max was assessed by a sub-maximal step test individually calibrated combining heart rate and accelerometry. Standard transthoracic echocardiography methodology and venipuncture blood tests were carried out at four time points: pre-race, immediately post-race, 6 h, and 24 h post-race.ResultsEstimated mean VO2max was 54.5 (± 8.8) mL O2 min−1 kg−1 and average physiological activity intensity was 746 (± 143) J min−1 kg −1 (~ 11.5 METs). When compared to pre-race values, significant changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV end-diastolic volume (− 15%, p < 0.001 for both parameters), cardiac output (39%, p < 0.001), and maximal longitudinal velocity (− 13%, p < 0.009) were seen post-race with LVEF also being decreased at < 6 h post-race (− 8%, p < 0.014). Plasma biomarkers mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, copeptin-ultra sensitive, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T remained significantly elevated at 24 h post-race, and the two latter were inversely associated with LVEF (p < 0.04). Kidney dysfunction was indicated by increased post-race copeptin-ultra sensitive.ConclusionsThe athletes participating in this study had acute transient cardiac dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography but elevated cardiac and kidney biomarkers at 24 h following a 63-km race with extreme altitude variation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13728-017-0057-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Microalbuminuria increased with exercise intensity. Sex, body composition and VO(2)max were the main factors associated with microalbuminuria. The prognostic significance of albuminuria induced by intense exercise in these subjects with Type 1 diabetes is not yet known.

HOMA-IR and the TG/HDL-C index were associated with BMI and inflammation markers. CML and sRAGE were not associated with obesity or inflammation. These parameters were higher in unhealthy obese adolescents.

The objective of this study was to examine epinephrine and norepinephrine plasma levels in patients with clinical type 2 diabetes mellitus, at different stages of autonomic neuropathy. Eighteen patients were classified in groups without (n = 6) and with early (n = 6), definite (n = 3) and severe (n = 3) neuropathy. Blood catecholamine levels were measured after the Valsalva maneuver, cold exposure and orthostatic tests. The norepinephrine basal levels were lower in patients with severe neuropathy (0.4 +/- 0.2 nmol/l), compared with the group with no neuropathy (1.3 +/- 0.5 nm/l, p = 0.034), or with early neuropathy (1.3 +/- 0.7 nm/l, p = 0.035). After the Valsalva maneuver, no increase was found in the group with severe alteration. In patients without neuropathy, cold exposure induced a peak of norepinephrine at 5 min (delta = 1.9 +/- 1.6 nmol/l). The increase was lower in groups with definite and severe damage. In patients with definite or moderate neuropathy, the orthostatic test induced minimal or no response. The epinephrine response to the maneuvers was not significant, and no differences were found among the groups. Norepinephrine basal levels and cold responses are diminished in patients with definite and severe autonomic neuropathy. This provides further evidence on their impaired response to stress. The comparable epinephrine levels in patients with or without autonomic neuropathy indicates that adrenal medullar function is not significantly altered.