[Variations of plasma concentrations of h-FABP during a muscular exercise]

Abstract

Objective: To test whether heart-Fatty Acid Binding Protein (h-FABP) is a useful plasma marker for the detection of acute coronary syndrome during muscular exercise.

Methods: Plasma concentrations of h-FABP were measured in 42 volunteers before and after muscular exercise (military aptitude test). Myoglobin and troponin Ic were measured for comparison.

Results: Significant increase were found in plasma myoglobin (mean = 195,9 microg/L) and h-FABP (mean = 5,71 microg/L). Myoglobin and h-FABP concentrations were already significantly elevated (p < 10(-6)) at 60 minutes after exercise and h-FABP concentrations were superior to baseline values in 15 volunteers. Whereas h-FABP decreased to normal levels within 24 hours, myoglobin remained elevated in 12 volunteers. The myoglobin to h-FABP ratio in plasma is between 8,0 and 57,0 which is different from the reported plasma ratio after myocardial injury (<6).

Conclusion: h-FABP can be used to exclude an acute coronary syndrome during exercise. The myoglobin to h-FABP ratio seems to be useful to identify the type of muscle injured. New studies are necessary to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy.