%0 Journal Article
%T Differential impacts of trail and ultra-trail running on cytokine profiles: An observational study.
%A Skinner S
%A Nader E
%A Stauffer E
%A Robert M
%A Boisson C
%A Cibiel A
%A Foschia C
%A Feasson L
%A Robach P
%A Millet GY
%A Connes P
%J Clin Hemorheol Microcirc
%V 78
%N 3
%D 2021
%M 33814421
%F 2.411
%R 10.3233/CH-211121
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Endurance running events are known to cause inflammation and result in increased cytokine production. However, the effects of ultramarathons on cytokine profiles are not well characterized.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim of this study was to describe and compare the effects of a trail (40 km) race and an ultra-trail (171 km) race on leukocyte concentrations and cytokine profiles.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The study was conducted during the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc® ultra-marathon running event, and included 11 runners who completed the 40 km trail run and 12 runners who completed the 171 km ultra-trail. Blood samples were taken before and after the races.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Leukocyte concentrations significantly increased after both races. Circulating levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, and IFN-γ were significantly higher after the longer race compared to the shorter race. Furthermore, while both races resulted in significant increases in IL-6 and IL-8, only the longer race resulted in significant increases in MIP-1β, IL-7, IL-17a, and IL-4.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>These results illustrate that a 171 km ultra-trail race results in greater modulations in cytokine profiles than a traditional trail race.