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

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.