Exercise-induced Changes in Soluble ST2 Concentrations in Marathon Runners

Purpose Previous studies have suggested that extreme endurance exercise may induce cardiac microdamage that could lead to subsequent myocardial fibrosis. Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is a cardiac biomarker for assessment of myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, and strain. We evaluated baseline and exercise-induced sST2 concentrations in a heterogeneous cohort of marathon runners to identify predictors for sST2 concentrations. Methods Ninety-two runners supplied demographic data, health status, physical activity levels, and marathon experience. Before (baseline) and immediately after (finish) the marathon, blood was collected for analysis of sST2 and cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Results Eighty-two participants (45 ± 8 yr, 79% male) finished the race in 227 ± 28 min at 92% (88%–94%) of their predicted maximum heart rate (exercise intensity). sST2 concentrations increased in all runners, from 34 (25–46) ng·mL−1 to 70 (53–87) ng·mL−1 (P

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