Changes in the fibrinolytic system associated with physical conditioning

Abstract

The effects of physical conditioning on plasma fibrinolytic activity were studied in two groups of subjects. Volunteers not engaged in any sport were compared with individuals having been subjected to aerobic conditioning (middle-distance runners, defined as men running more than 80 km per week). Plasma concentrations of the different components of the fibrinolytic system were evaluated before and immediately after a maximal effort treadmill protocol. Comparison of the resting parameters revealed that under basal conditions for plasma concentrations of plasminogen, fibrinogen, alpha 2-antiplasmin, protein C and protein S there were no differences between the two groups. Concentrations of the fibrin degradation products (FbDP) and fibrinogen degradation products (FgDP) were significantly higher in the runners than in the control group, indicating an increased fibrinolytic potential that seemed to be a consequence of the reduced formation of tissue plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor (t-PA-PAI) complexes. Acute maximal exercise resulted in pronounced fibrinolysis, evidenced by the elevation of FbDP and FgDP concentrations, in both groups of subjects. The acceleration of the fibrinolytic activity was larger in conditioned individuals, which could be accounted for by a higher t-PA release and reduced formation of t-PA-PAI complexes when compared to the untrained subjects.

Exercise and the Cardiovascular System

“…Acute maximal exercise resulted in elevation of fibrinolysis, as shown by higher levels of fibrin degradation products and fibrinogen degradation products, in both groups. The increased fibrinolytic activity was higher in trained individuals, which could have resulted from higher tissue plasminogen activator release and reduced formation of “tissue plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor complexes” [149]. In spite of this report, it seems that the results of different studies on exercise and hemostatic function have been biased by several confounding variables, such as age, exercise protocol, or time and methods for hemostatic evaluation.…”

Changes in haemostasis in endurance horses: detection by highly sensitive ELISA‐tests

“…Fibrinogen showed a slight increase after exercise that could be explained as a result of a non specific inflammatory stimulus after the traumatic effect of the 80 km or as a result of the decrease of plasmin degradation. However, no changes have been detected in other studies performed with subjects under strenuous activity or marathon runners (Mandalaki et al 1977;Ferguson et al 1987;De Paz et al 1992;Herren et al 1992).…”

“…It has been demonstrated that exercise is associated with an increase in fibrinolytic activity. This exercise induced hyperfibrinolysis has been measured first using polyclonal or indirect tests in human subjects (Mandalaki et al 1977;Ferguson et al 1987) or in horses (McKeever et al 1990); and later on using monoclonal D-dimer tests during maximal efforts in men (De Paz et al 1992) or after a marathon run (Bartsch et al 1990;Rocker et al 1990;van Loon et al 1992). Also it has been found that the increase in FgDP and FbDP levels after maximal exercise is higher in well trained human subjects (De Paz et al 1992).…”

“…This increase in fibrinolytic activity as a result of plasmin activation is considered to be a consequence of the tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) released by the vascular endothelium, without concurrent release of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) (Rocker et al 1990;Dufaux et al 1991;Beisiegel et al 1992;De Paz et al 1992;Handa et al 1992;van Loon et al 1992). Furthermore, Beisiegel et al (1992) and van Loon et al (1992) found a relationship between the intensity of exercise and the increase of t-PA levels in plasma.…”

“…With these techniques, exercise induced variations in haemostasis have been studied in athletes undertaking maximal *Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. exercise to fatigue on high speed treadmills and in marathon runners (BZrtsch et al 1990;Rocker et al 1990;Dufaux et al 1991;Bounameaux et al 1992;De Paz et al 1992;Herren et a/. 1992;van Loon et a/.…”