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Annual Congress, BASM 1999

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.34.2.148

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    Elevation of brain natriuretic peptide levels in athletic left ventricular hypertrophy

    M DEWAR, D F MUIR, S W MURRAY, G P MCCANN, W S HILLIS

    Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Glasgow

    Background—Athletic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) occurs in response to long term high intensity exercise, and is characterised by increased left ventricular mass. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a peptide hormone mainly produced in ventricular myocardium. It is increased in hypertensive LVH, which is associated with adverse prognosis.

    Aim—To determine BNP levels in athletes with LVH compared with those without LVH and sedentary controls.

    Methods—A total of 108 professional footballers and 24 healthy sedentary controls were studied. LVH was defined as left ventricular mass index >134 g/m2 on echocardiography. BNP was measured using standard techniques. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance.

    Results—Twenty eight footballers and no controls had LVH. BNP was higher in the footballers as a whole compared with controls (11.1 v 6.9 pg/ml; p<0.01). It was also higher in the footballers with LVH than in those without (18.9 v 8.3 pg/ml; p<0.0001; 95% confidence interval 6.9 to 14.2) and controls (18.9 v 6.9 pg/ml; p<0.0001; 95% confidence interval 7.3 to 16.7). There was no significant difference in BNP concentration between the footballers without LVH and the controls.

    Conclusions—Athletic LVH is associated with elevated BNP levels, possibly resulting from increased left ventricular wall stress. This emphasises the similarity between athletic LVH and other forms of LVH.

    Sumatriptan reduces exercise capacity in healthy men: evidence for a peripheral effect of serotonin metabolism?

    G P MCCANN, H CAHILL, S KNIPE, D F MUIR, P D MACINTYRE, W S HILLISCentre for Exercise Science and Medicine, University of Glasgow

    Aim—Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) has been implicated in the genesis of central fatigue. Sumatriptan is a selective 5-HT1B/D receptor agonist which does not cross the blood-brain barrier. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of …

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