Plasma endotoxin and immune responses during a 21-km road race under a warm and humid environment.

Introduction: This study investigated the responses of plasma endotoxin and pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines during a 21-km road race in warm and humid conditions. The influence of carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE)-water (WA) drink mix ingested on leukocyte subset responses and the association between plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration and fluid balance, exercise intensity, and body core temperature (Tc) were also studied.

Materials And Methods: Thirty runners provided blood samples before and after the half-marathon for leukocyte, LPS and cytokine analyses.