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Different mechanical loading protocols influence serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels in young healthy humans

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether a relationship between the loading mode of physical activity and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentration exists and whether the lymphatic system contributes to COMP release into the serum. Serum COMP levels were determined in healthy male subjects before, after and at 18 further time points within 7 h at four separate experimental days with four different loading interventions. The loading intervention included high impact running exercise, slow but deep knee bends, and lymphatic drainage of 30 min duration, respectively, and a resting protocol. The serum COMP levels were measured using a commercially available quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An increase (p < 0.001) in serum COMP concentration was detected immediately after 30 min running exercise. Slow but deep knee bends did not cause any significant changes in serum COMP levels. Lymphatic drainage also had no effect on the serum COMP concentration. After 30 min of complete rest the serum COMP level was significantly (p = 0.008) reduced. The elevation of COMP serum concentration seems to depend on the loading mode of the physical activity and to reflect the extrusion of COMP fragments from the impact loaded articular cartilage or synovial fluid.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Kirsten Legerlotz for her help in the COMP analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Research Center of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany

    A. Niehoff, S. Helling, J. Dargel & G.-P. Brüggemann

  2. Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

    U. G. Kersting

  3. Center for Preventive Doping Research, Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    J. Maurer & M. Thevis

  4. German Research Center of Elite Sport, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    J. Maurer & M. Thevis

Authors
  1. A. Niehoff
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  2. U. G. Kersting
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  3. S. Helling
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  4. J. Dargel
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  5. J. Maurer
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  6. M. Thevis
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  7. G.-P. Brüggemann
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Correspondence to A. Niehoff.

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Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Niehoff, A., Kersting, U.G., Helling, S. et al. Different mechanical loading protocols influence serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein levels in young healthy humans. Eur J Appl Physiol 110, 651–657 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1529-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1529-0

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