Effect of physical load on the concentration of endothelial NO-synthase and platelet-activation factor in plasma of athletes

 Aim. To assess the effect of a single physical activity on the concentration of endothelial NO-synthase and plateletactivating factor in blood plasma of athletes training in cyclic and strength sports, as well as in untrained volunteers.

Materials and methods. The study involved 28 men aged 18–25 years, who were relatively healthy and had no disorders of the cardiovascular system. Three groups were formed according to the sports classification. Group 1 (TFG): highly qualified athletes (Candidates for Master of Sports (CMS),  Master of Sports (MS)) of cyclic sports – track and field athletics (middle-distance running, 800–1500 m), n = 10. Group 2 (WG): highly qualified athletes (CMS, MS) of strength sports – weightlifting, n = 8. Group 3 (CG): control group – untrained men with no sports category, n = 10. All volunteers were examined in the morning on an empty stomach. One day before the study, the athletes were advised to stop the training process. The blood from cubital vein was taken from all the subjects three times: before exercise (test A), immediately after performing the standard PWC170 test on a bicycle ergometer (test B), and 60 minutes after performing the stress test (test C). Determination of the concentration of endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in plasma was performed by enzyme immunoassay.

Results. It has been shown that the features of endothelial reactivity in athletes of various specializations in comparison with untrained volunteers are significantly associated with the level of eNOS production both at rest and in response to short-term physical exertion. Platelet-activating factor  can also affect endothelial reactivity, but to a lesser extent, and is involved only in the mechanisms of adaptation to repetitive high-intensity physical  loads. 

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