Intense physical stress might promote inflammatory responses, whereas a regular physical exercise has positive influence. Little is known on the acute metabolic and inflammatory responses to different levels of strenuous exercise in trained athletes.To compare the short-term effect of two different ultra-endurance competitions on the inflammatory profile in male triathletes.We studied 14 Ironman (IR) and 13 Half Ironman (HIR) before and after their own specific race. We assessed body composition and measured blood cells, lipids, iron metabolism and plasma levels of some acute-phase cytokines and inflammatory markers.After the race, IR showed reduced total body water and fat-free mass, not related with the duration of exercise, and increased white cells and platelets; high-density lipoprotein levels also increased. IR, but not HIR, showed reduced iron levels, increased ferritin and transferrin, reduced % saturated transferrin. HIR showed higher basal interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, IL-1β than IR; however, the post-performance rise was greater in IR. Irisin increased only in HIR and osteocalcin decreased in IR. In the whole study group, delta of white blood cells was directly related with delta of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and Δ ferritin was inversely related with Δosteocalcin.A single ultra-endurance competition induces an inflammatory response depending on the duration of physical effort, with increased acute-phase cytokines, and an altered iron metabolism. Irisin, whose biological meaning is still uncertain, seems to be associated with acute variations of some metabolic parameters.

BACKGROUND AND AIM:A certain degree of impaired kidney function is related to an increased cardiovascular risk. The cardiovascular protection exerted in the postmenopausal state by the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is debated. No studies have so far explored the relationship between menopause, renal function and cardiovascular risk profile in healthy menopausal women in relation with HRT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS:A total of 362 postmenopausal healthy women with normal albumin excretion rate were recruited and divided into two groups (HRT+ and HRT-) according to the presence or absence of HRT. All participants underwent a complete routine biochemical analyses and an echocardiogram. RESULTS:Clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar, but HRT+ showed a significantly higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR; by CKD-EPI formula). Regarding the heart ultrasonography, HRT+ had a significantly lower size of the aortic root and left atrium diameter (p = 0.038 and p = 0.012, respectively); no differences were found in the ejection fraction and Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI). In the whole study group, eGFR correlated inversely with LVMI and with the size of the aortic root (both p < 0.0001), being GFR the only determinant of the former by a stepwise regression. Dividing the study population according to an eGFR cut-off (> 80 and < 80 ml/min/1.73 m(2)); > 80 women, in comparison with < 80, showed a significantly lower LVMI and lower size of aortic bulb, further reduced in the HRT+. CONCLUSION:In a cohort of healthy, drug-naïve, postmenopausal women, HRT seems to positively affect glomerular filtration and is associated with lower values of left ventricular mass and aortic root size, thus offering a further mechanism through female hormones exert cardioprotection.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of participation in Ironman triathlon competition on carotid properties, in relation to hemodynamic load. 28 male triathletes (41 ± 8 years), participating at the Ironman competition (swimming 3.8 km, cycling 180 km, running 42,2 km; 13 athletes performed half-race), underwent carotid and cardiac ultrasound examinations at rest and within 20’ from the arrival. Right carotid diameter (D), distension (ΔD) and Intima-Media-Thickness (IMT) were estimated by an automatic system applied to ultrasound B-mode image sequences, and carotid pulse pressure (PP) by tonometry. The mean duration of the competition was 12:48±1:14 h (6:14 ± 0:37 hrs for the half-race). At the end of the competition the athletes showed increased heart rate (60.2±13.1 to 82.8±15.6 bpm, p<0.0001), unchanged mean BP (93±14 to 91±10 mmHg, p = ns), carotid PP (from 42 to 42 mmHg, p = ns), and stroke volume (64±14 to 59±16 ml, p = ns) and total body water (48.0±4.0 to 46.5±3.9 kg, p = ns). Cardiac output was significantly increased (5.5±1.2 to 6.7±2.4 l/min, p<0.05), and total peripheral resistances were reduced (17.6±3.9 to 14.8±4.6, p = 0.01). Dwas increased (7.19±0.65 to 7.61 ± 0.76mm, p<0.05), while IMT was significantly reduced at the end of the competition (537±70 to 495±70 mm, p<0.05). ΔD and CC were not modified (588±139 to 568±168 µm and 1.12±0.58 to 1.22±0.54 mm^2/KPa, p = ns). In an Ironman competition, strenuous exercise induced a marked carotid dilation and a decrease in IMT.