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Plasma Free, Phospholipid-Bound and Urinary Free Choline All Decrease During a Marathon Run and May Be Associated with Impaired Performance

Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, Houston, Texas (A.L.B.)
Department of Pharmacology, UCLA Medical School, Los Angeles, California (D.J., M.R.)

Address reprint requests to: Dr. Alan L. Buchman, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin MSB 4.234, Houston, Texas

Background: Previous investigations have shown that plasma free choline decreases during long distance running.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine if body choline status changes during a marathon run and whether performance is thereby adversely affected.

Design: Twenty-three accomplished marathon runners 25 to 49 years of age were studied before and after the 1997 Houston-Methodist Marathon. Fasting blood and five-hour urine samples were obtained in the morning, 14 days prior to the race, immediately after the race and approximately 48 hours after completion of the race. Runners were asked to predict their finish times two weeks prior to the race. Performance was indicated by the ratio of predicted to actual time.

Results: Both plasma free and phospholipid-bound choline concentrations as well as urinary free choline concentration decreased immediately following the race (19.2±4.5 to 14.6±4.2 nmol/mL, p=0.005, and 2565.2±516.4 to 2403.4±643.0 nmol/mL, p=0.068, respectively) and, except for the phospholipid-bound choline, rebounded towards baseline after 48 hours (15.6±3.2 and 2299.9±426.7 nmol/mL), although plasma concentrations remained significantly below baseline. Plasma free and phospholipid-bound choline concentrations were significantly correlated (r=0.46, p=0.0001), although urinary free choline concentration was not correlated with either. There was no correlation between plasma free, phospholipid-bound or urinary free choline concentration and actual finish time or the ratio of predicted to actual finish time. However, the percent decrease in urinary free choline concentration was significantly correlated with the ratio of predicted to actual time (r=0.47, p=0.036). No relationship was seen between this ratio and the percent decrease in either plasma free or phospholipid-bound choline concentrations immediately after the race.

Conclusion: Our finding of both decreased free and phospholipid-bound choline suggests the decrease in choline status is related to accelerated choline metabolism or enhanced choline uptake by tissues rather than decreased hepatic choline release. The role of choline supplementation during endurance running requires further investigation.

Key words: choline, marathon

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