Serum S100ß Increases after a Marathon Run Do Not Reflect Glial Damage

Abstract

1758 Increased serum levels of the glial protein S100ß in runners have been suspected to reflect glial damage due to axial vibration injury to the brain. However, as S100ß is also expressed in adipose and muscle tissue, an extracranial origin cannot be excluded. PURPOSE: To assess brain tissue damage before and after completion of a marathon run by determining serum profiles of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a well established marker of brain tissue damage. METHODS: Participants were 18 (4 females, 14 males) volunteers, who successfully finished the 2002 Münster marathon. Venous blood samples were drawn before, as well as 0,1,3, and 20 hours after the race. Serum concentrations of S100ß and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured by a luminometric assay and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Serum S100ß concentrations increased significantly after the race (p<0.001), whereas serum GFAP concentrations were not altered. Moreover, serum S100ß increases were correlated with creatine kinase activity and body weight. CONCLUSION: As indicated by lacking serum GFAP increases, there is no evidence for running induced glial damage. Increases in serum S100ß concentrations after marathon running are most likely caused by release from extracranial sources, e.g. from muscle tissue.