Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Ultra-Marathon Runners: A Pilot Study

Michał Konwerski, Marek Postuła, Marzena Barczuk-Falęcka, Anna Czajkowska, Anna Mróz, Katarzyna Witek, Wawrzyniec Bakalarski, Aleksandra Gąsecka, Łukasz A. Małek and Tomasz Mazurek
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Michał Konwerski: 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Marek Postuła: Center for Preclinical Research and Technology CEPT, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
Marzena Barczuk-Falęcka: Department of Pediatric Radiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Czajkowska: Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Mróz: Faculty of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Witek: Faculty of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Wawrzyniec Bakalarski: Faculty of Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Aleksandra Gąsecka: 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, 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
Tomasz Mazurek: 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data regarding the influence of extremely intensive training on CVD are scarce. We compared EAT volume among ultra-marathon runners and in the sedentary control group, and assessed the correlations between EAT and risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD). EAT volume around three main coronary vessels and right ventricle (RV) was measured in 30 healthy amateur ultrarunners and 9 sex- and age-matched sedentary controls using cardiac magnetic resonance. In addition, body composition, lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma concentration, and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured as well. The EAT volume was lower in all measured locations in the ultrarunners’ group compared to control group ( p < 0.001 for all). Ultrarunners had lower BMI and fat percentage (FAT%) and more favorable lipid profile compared to the control group ( p < 0.05 for all). Ultrarunners had lower rate of pathologically high levels of plasma IL-6 (>1 pg/mL) compared to the control group (17% vs. 56%, p < 0.05). IMT was similar in both groups. In the ultrarunners’ group, there was a positive correlation between EAT surrounding left anterior descending artery, circumflex artery, and RV and FAT%, and between EAT around circumflex artery and LDL and non-HDL cholesterol ( p < 0.05 for all). In summary, extremely intensive training may decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in adult population of amateur athletes by reducing the amount and pro-inflammatory activity of EAT. However, more research is needed to draw firm conclusions regarding the anti- and pro-inflammatory effects of intensive training.

Keywords: epicardial adipose tissue; ultrarunners; inflammation; cardiac magnetic resonance; cardiovascular disease (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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