Journal Article

Effects of extreme mountain ultramarathon on stress‐related biomarkers from multiple biological matrices in adult male runners

Bondi, Danilo, Purcaro, Cristina, Di Filippo, Ester Sara, Fulle, Stefania, Verratti, Vittore, Giardini, Guido, Vezzoli, Alessandra, Mrakic‐Sposta, Simona

2026

Overview

Prior investigations concerning finishers of the Tor des Géants (TDG) have demonstrated oxi‐inflammatory response. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as prospective biomarkers for oxi‐inflammatory and stress responses. This study addressed the acute responses concerning salivary miRNAs, circulating redox markers and urinary exercise‐induced markers during the 2019 TDG. It included seven healthy male participants who successfully completed the race. Biological specimens (blood, saliva, and urine) were collected 1–2 days prior to the race and immediately post‐completion, to assess redox system and glycemia from capillary blood, creatinine and neopterin concentrations from urine, and salivary hsa‐miR‐210 and hsa‐miR‐21. Circulating reactive oxygen species production increased, whereas total antioxidant capacity remained stable. Urinary creatinine and neopterin increased subsequent to the race. Nevertheless, salivary expression levels for both miR‐21 and miR‐210 displayed heterogeneity among participants. Variations in miR‐210 were significantly correlated with changes in heart rate. The extreme mountain ultramarathon incited cumulative stress reflective of muscle damage and immune response activation. Salivary miR‐21 and miR‐210 did not demonstrate acute alterations, indicating that they may not serve as highly responsive markers for the combined hypoxia‐strenuous exercise stressor; this finding may suggest the existence of adaptive mechanisms in finishers that facilitate their capacity to manage extreme challenges.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Adult / Altitude / Biomarkers / Biomarkers - blood / Biomarkers - metabolism / Biomarkers - urine / Blood glucose / Creatinine / Exercise / Heart rate / Humans / Hypoxia / Immune response / Inflammation / Male / Marathon Running - physiology / MicroRNAs / MicroRNAs - metabolism / miRNA / Neopterin / Neopterin - urine / noninvasive sampling / Oxidative Stress / oxi‐inflammation / Physical Endurance - physiology / Physical fitness / Physiology / Reactive oxygen species / Reactive Oxygen Species - blood / Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism / Saliva / Saliva - chemistry / Saliva - metabolism / Stress response / Stress, Physiological / Ultramarathon / ultra‐endurance