Calprotectin, a leucocyte cytosolic protein but with bactericidal properties when released on cell activation, is documented as a marker of systemic inflammation. It crosses mucosal walls to be detectable in faeces and urine in inflammatory conditions but its presence on pharyngeal mucosa is unknown. Its possible use as a non-invasive marker of local pharyngeal inflammation was investigated and compared with serum calprotectin. Monthly serum and throat swab samples were taken from trained male endurance athletes (N=16, 22-54yrs) who gave informed consent. They were studied over a period of 4 months of increasing training volume and intensity, with concurrent recording of hours of sleep, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Score), psychological mood scores (POMS), training logs and symptoms (Wisconsin). Samples were taken (using Becton Dickinson ProbeTec®CT/GC swabs) from the posterior pharyngeal wall after a cleaning procedure to exclude salivary calprotectin. Serum samples were tested for C-reactive protein (CRP; high sensitivity assay); calprotectin, IL-6, IL1ra, IL-10, IL-17, TNFα via ELISA. Values for samples and questionnaire scores were compared over time by repeated measures ANOVA and against each other by Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient. Calprotectin was successfully measured in all throat swab samples. No correlation was found between serum and pharyngeal calprotectin (r=-0.2, P<0.19). Serum calprotectin was positively correlated with CRP (r=0.42, P<0.006), IL-6 (r=0.47, P<0.0024) and training intensity (r=0.53 P<0.0003); no correlations were seen with the other cytokines measured. However, IL-6 correlated markedly with CRP (r=0.90 P<0.00001). No correlation of POMS was seen with time or training intensity. Respiratory symptoms in some athletes appeared to be linked to increased training intensity. The serum calprotectin results provide further evidence that this may be a useful marker of exercise induced immunodepression.
Physiology 2012 (Edinburgh) (2012) Proc Physiol Soc 27, PC115
Poster Communications: Calprotectin as a marker in pharyngeal mucosa and serum, in relation to training in athletes, illness symptoms and cytokines
H. McKay1, L. Ayers2, R. Burnett3, R. Baskerville4, B. Ferry2, L. Castell4
1. Keble College, University of oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. 2. Dept of Clin and Lab Immunology, The Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. 3. Dept of Sports& Exercise Medicine, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom. 4. Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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