Effects of marathon running on plasma total homocysteine concentrations

Aims: There is evidence of an excess of acute cardiovascular (CV) events in marathon runners. High plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations are a recognised risk factor for CV events. Therefore, we investigated the changes in plasma tHcy concentrations 24 h before and after a marathon race. Methods and results: Twenty-two non -professional mate athletes, mean age 35.6 (6.6), range 23-49 years, were studied the day before and 24 h after finishing a marathon race. None of the athletes was a carrier of the MTHFR 677TT genotype and no ingestion of supplements of vitamins (B12, B6, folic acid) was allowed. Results: Changes in plasma folate and plasma vitamin B12 concentrations were not detected post-race, but a significant increase in plasma tHcy concentrations was demonstrated. Plasma tHcy increased 19% 24 h after the race. Before the race 20% of the subjects had a plasma tHcy concentration > 10 mu mol/l (cut-off point for ischaemic heart disease risk), while after the race 50% had plasma tHcy concentrations > 10 mu mol/l. Conclusion: An increase in plasma tHcy concentrations was observed after a marathon race in non -professional not well-trained mate athletes performing strong physical activity. The potential physiological or pathological implications of this finding are unknown. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.