Changes of Mental Stress Biomarkers in Ultramarathon

Abstract

We investigated the possible influence of an exhaustive physical exercise on mental stress biomarkers (serotonin, tryptophan, and beta-endorphin) along with dopamine, noradrenaline and free fatty acids in an ultramarathon race in which 45 km was run on the first day and 90 km on the second. We obtained serum samples at 6 different time points during and after the race from 18 Japanese male runners who completed the marathon. Overall changes of serum serotonin and tryptophan concentrations were statistically significant according to ANOVA for repeated measurements (p < 0.05). Serum serotonin levels elevated rapidly on the first day with the post hoc Tukey's test. Tryptophan concentrations inversely decreased during the race, possibly because of utilization for synthesis of serotonin. Levels of beta-endorphin appeared to increase on the first and second days, but were not statistically significant. In conclusion, serum serotonin, tryptophan and beta-endorphin appeared to be used for mental stress markers in physical exercise.

The Transeurope Footrace Project: longitudinal data acquisition in a cluster randomized mobile MRI observational cohort study on 44 endurance runners at a 64-stage 4,486km transcontinental ultramarathon

“…Strong changes of endocrine and metabolic status during marathon runs are described [78,79]. Hormonal changes can influence pain sensation and show an influence on specific brain functions [167].…”

“…Some hypotheses explain this based on the influence of the stress hormone cortisol [70] but further pathophysiological principles leading to this decrease in brain volume are not understood [73-76]. Marathon-induced changes in endocrine levels [77,78], in fluid balance [79] and amino acid blood level [80] are known to alter brain metabolism. The hypothesis that ultra endurance running leads to volume reduction of the brain cortex could be investigated by the TEFR project using high resolution cerebral MRI.…”

A Systematic Review of the Biomarker S100B: Implications for Sport-Related Concussion Management

“…Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise can induce a state of oxidative stress that leads to the physical reaction of an up-regulation in endogenous antioxidant defenses. 61 Gerlach et al 62 found support for the theory of S100B up-regulation under severe metabolic stress conditions such as hypoxia. They suggested that the secretion of S100B up to nanomolar concentrations is an early astroglial response to metabolic injury that initiates neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects.…”

“…Mental and metabolic stress, as occurs in competitive sports, increases peripheral S100B levels in the absence of apparent brain injury. 59,[61][62][63][64] In an experimental study, Agawa et al 61 found serum serotonin levels increased during challenging exhaustive exercise. Teradaira et al 64 showed similar results by exposing sitting students to a stress model using visual display terminals; they noted increased plasma concentrations of serotonin.…”

“…Teradaira et al 64 showed similar results by exposing sitting students to a stress model using visual display terminals; they noted increased plasma concentrations of serotonin. Because of the features of the enzyme kinetics, Agawa et al 61 and Teradaira et al 64 concluded that increased levels of peripheral serotonin, among other markers, appeared to be induced by mental stress. One approach to explain stress-induced increased peripheral S100B levels is serotonin-induced release of intraglial S100B due to activation of cerebral 5-HT 1A receptors.…”