The impact of hepatitis B carrier on cardiac troponin I in 100-km ultramarathon runners

Background Prolonged endurance exercise is known to cause elevation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Previous studies have reported the correlation of several factors with exercise-induced cTnI release. However, the investigation of the predictors for elevated cTnI and postrace kinetics of cTnI after ultramarathon running is lacking, especially in an Oriental population. Methods Twenty-six participants, including eight hepatitis B virus carrier (HBVc) runners, who finished a 100-km ultramarathon in Taiwan were enrolled. For each participant, blood samples were collected 1 week before the race, as well as immediately and 24 hours after the finish. Results The results showed that 19 runners (73.1%) had postrace elevated cTnI levels and eight (30.8%) had elevated cTnI values lasting more than 24 hours after the run. A multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that the HBV status was a factor related to the high level of cTnI after 24 hours of running (β = 0.03, p = 0.08). The recovery of plasma cTnI levels was delayed in ultramarathon runners with latent HBV infection. Among HBVc runners, multiple linear regression analyses showed age (β = −0.01), previous running experience (β = −0.06), training distance (β = 0.37), and 4 hours of running distance (β = −0.04) as significant predictors of higher postrace cTnI levels. Conclusion For most athletes, cTnI values significantly increased immediately following the race in the absence of adverse clinical sequelae, and HBVc runners had higher and prolonged cTnI levels. While several factors are identified for such HBV effects, the specific causes need further elucidation.