Oxy-inflammatory profile of finishers and non-finishers in an extreme ultra-endurance trail race: the 866-km Transpyrénéa

This study investigates the bio-physiological responses occurring under extreme stress conditions and the characterization of the oxy-inflammatory profile of Finishers (FRs) and NoFinishers (NFRs) athletes during the time course and following the Transpyrénéa, an 866 km extreme ultra-race across the French Pyrenees with an altitude difference of 52,900+ m ascent. Thirty-nine experienced ultra-marathon runners (age 43.5 ± 9.1 years; weight 72.1 ± 11.1 kg; BMI 23.3 ± 2.6 kg/m2) were studied using minimally invasive methods on capillary blood and urine samples obtained at baseline (T0), during (T1, 2, 3) and at the end (T4) of the race. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative damage (8-hydroxy-2-deoxy Guanosine: 8-OH-dG and 8-isoprostane: 8-isoPGF2α), inflammatory (IL-6), nitric oxide pathway (NOx and 3-NT), neopterin, and hematologic (lactate, and hematocrit) biomarkers were assessed. In both FR and NFR athletes a marked systemic increase in ROS, oxidative and nitrosative damage, inflammation, transient immune-renal dysfunction and lactate release were detected throughout the race. Compared to FRs, NFRs displayed significant differences concerning ROS production at T0, 8-isoPGF2-α at T0, T1 and T2, and perceived exertion (RPE score) at T2. These data potentially reflect enhanced adaptative responses to training and metabolic efficacy in FRs, allowing them to better tolerate extreme physiological stress.