Alterations in Circulating MicroRNAs and the Relation of MicroRNAs to Maximal Oxygen Consumption and Intima–Media Thickness in Ultra-Marathon Runners

Ceren Eyileten, Alex Fitas, Daniel Jakubik, Pamela Czajka, Anna Mróz, Anna Czajkowska, Katarzyna Witek, Wawrzyniec Bakalarski, Salvatore De Rosa, Marek Postuła and Łukasz A. Małek
Additional contact information
Ceren Eyileten: Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Alex Fitas: Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Daniel Jakubik: Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Pamela Czajka: Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Mróz: Department of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Czajkowska: Department of Tourism and Recreation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Witek: Department of Tourism and Recreation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Wawrzyniec Bakalarski: Department of Tourism and Recreation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Salvatore De Rosa: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Magna Graecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Marek Postuła: Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Łukasz A. Małek: Department of Epidemiology, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Institute of Cardiology, 04-628 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: The impact of long-term training on cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not clear. Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) test is recommended as a useful measure to diagnose the early stages of atherosclerosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are altered due to endurance exercise and can be promising biomarkers of pathophysiological changes. We aimed to evaluate the association of circulating miRNAs with physical fitness and markers of atherosclerosis in ultra-marathon runners. Ultra-marathon runners had 28-fold upregulation of miR-125a-5p expressions compared to control individuals ( p = 0.002), whereas let-7e and miR-126 did not differ statistically between ultra-marathon runners and controls. In the ultra-marathon runners’ group, negative correlations were observed between VO 2 max/kg and relative expression of miR-125a-5p and miR-126 (r = ?0.402, p = 0.028; r = ?0.438, p = 0.032, respectively). Positive correlations were observed between CIMT and miR-125a-5p and miR-126 (r = 0.388, p = 0.050; r = 0.504, p = 0.023, respectively) in ultra-marathon runners. Individuals with the highest quartile of VO 2 max/kg had 23-fold lower miR-126 expression in comparison to subgroups with lower VO 2 max/kg ( p = 0.017). Our results may indicate that both miRNAs may serve as a biomarker for early pathological changes leading to atherosclerosis burden in athletes. Furthermore, the association between miRNAs and traditional risk factors for CVD indicate a possible use of these molecules as early biomarkers of future cardiovascular health.

Keywords: microRNA; miRNA; endurance sport; cardiovascular disease; atherosclerosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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