The effect of an exhaustive aerobic exercise on NT-proBNP levels in healthy males

Many studies documented the relationship between elevated plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its aminoterminal propeptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiovascular diseases, especially heart failure (HF). However, it is still uncertain whether physical exercise leads to a significant release of NT-proBNP in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an exhaustive aerobic exercise on NT-proBNP levels in healthy males.

In this study, Fifteen healthy male (aged: 22.2 ± 2.3 years; ± SD) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were performed Bruce protocol as the exhaustive aerobic exercise. NT-proBNP plasma concentrations were measured before and immediately after the exhaustive aerobic exercise. Paired-sample t- test was used to analyze the data.

The results demonstrated that NT-proBNP levels were increased significantly after the exhaustive aerobic exercise (P<0.05). We did not find any correlation between the post-exercise increase of NT-proBNP levels and body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%BF) or VO2max.

In conclusion, the exhaustive aerobic exercise in healthy individuals led to a fast rise of plasma NT-proBNP concentrations.