Effect of Short-Term Maximal Exercise on BNP Plasma Levels in Healthy Individuals

Many studies documented the relationship between elevatedplasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides and cardiovasculardiseases, especially heart failure. However, it is still uncertainwhether physical exercise leads to a significant release ofnatriuretic peptide in healthy subjects. The aim of this study wasto determine the effect of maximal physical activity on plasmaBNP concentrations in healthy individuals within 3 hours after theshort-term exercise. BNP plasma concentrations were measuredin 15 healthy volunteers before, immediately after as well as1 hour and 3 hours after bicycle spiroergometry. Maximalworkload and exercise capacity were assessed in watts, wattseconds, metabolic equivalents and VO2max. Mean BNP plasmalevels before, immediately after, 1 hour and 3 hours postexercise were 19.4±2.5; 30.6±4.7; 17.9±2.5 and 18.7±3.1pg/ml, respectively. The increase of BNP concentrationsimmediately after exercise was statistically significant (p=0.0017)compared to baseline values. We did not find any correlationbetween the post-exercise increase of BNP levels and age, bodymass index, maximal workload or exercise capacity. Inconclusion, short-term maximal physical exercise in healthyindividuals led to a fast and transient rise of plasma BNPconcentrations, which remained well within normal range and farbelow the cut-off value for heart failure (100 pg/ml).