Acute and chronic effects of marathon running on the retinal microcirculation

Abstract Objective Previous studies indicate an association between marathon running and premature atherosclerosis. Retinal vessel diameter alterations, in particular narrower arterioles and wider venules, reflect early stages of atherosclerosis, but the influence of marathon on the retinal microcir...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atherosclerosis 2011-12, Vol.219 (2), p.864-868
Main Authors: Pressler, A, Hanssen, H, Dimitrova, M, Krumm, M, Halle, M, Scherr, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Arteriolar-to-venular ratio
Arterioles - physiology
atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research)
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - blood
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Blood Pressure
body mass index
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular system
Case-Control Studies
chemistry
Germany
Humans
leukocytes
Linear Models
lipids
long term effects
Male
Marathon
Medical sciences
Microcirculation
Middle Aged
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Physical Endurance
Prospective Studies
Pulsatile Flow
Regional Blood Flow
Retinal microcirculation
Retinal Vessels - physiology
risk
Running
Time Factors
Vasodilator agents. Cerebral vasodilators
Venules - physiology
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Summary:Abstract Objective Previous studies indicate an association between marathon running and premature atherosclerosis. Retinal vessel diameter alterations, in particular narrower arterioles and wider venules, reflect early stages of atherosclerosis, but the influence of marathon on the retinal microcirculation is unknown. Methods Retinal vessel diameters were measured in 85 male runners (age 31–60 years; previous marathons 0–56) and in 45 age-matched healthy controls using a static vessel analyzer. In runners, diameters were also measured immediately and 24 h after a marathon. Cardiovascular risk profiles, clinical chemistry and, in a subgroup of 46 runners, peripheral arterial wave reflections were also assessed. Results Runners had larger arterioles (median 196 μm (IQR 25) vs. 190(25); p = 0.068) and smaller venules (222(25) vs. 224(18); p = 0.063) than controls, resulting in a significantly increased arteriolar-to-venular ratio (AVR; 0.89(0.08) vs. 0.85(0.07); p < 0.001). In runners, retinal vessel diameters were not associated with body mass index, blood pressure, smoking, lipids or training history, and no differences were observed between the lowest (0.71–0.84) and highest (0.95–1.06) AVR quintiles. The marathon run induced a significant increase of AVR (0.91 (0.09); p = 0.007) due to larger arteriolar than venular dilatations, correlating weakly to race duration ( r = 0.32; p = 0.003) and to a lower increase in leucocytes ( r = −0.35; p = 0.001). Vessel diameters normalized 24 h after the race. Augmentation index and pulse pressure decreased significantly after the race, but no associations with retinal vessel diameters were observed. Conclusion Marathon running is not associated with an impairment of the retinal microcirculation. These findings contrast previous reports on atherosclerotic alterations of peripheral vessels.
ISSN:0021-9150
1879-1484
DOI:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.08.052