The Transcriptional Signature of a Runner's High
Introduction Endorphins, endocannabinoids, monoamines, and neurotrophins have all been implicated in the euphoric response to endurance running, known as a runner's high (RH) The epitranscriptional mechanisms regulating this effect have not been defined. Here, we investigate peripheral micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) changes unique to athletes experiencing postrun euphoria, yielding insights into gene networks that control an RH. Methods A cohort study involving 25 collegiate runners (48% females, age 20 1 yr) examined salivary RNA levels before and after a long distance run. Participants were divided into RH and nonrunner's high (NRH) groups based on surveys of four criteria (mood, lost sense of time, run quality, and euphoria) Physiological measures were also recorded (temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, pupillary dilatation, and salivary serotonin) Levels of miRNAs and their messenger RNA targets were compared across pre and postrun samples from RH and NRH groups with two way ANOVA. Representation of opioid, gamma aminobutyic acid (GABA) endocannabinoid, neurotrophin, serotonergic, and dopaminergic pathways was assessed in DIANA miRPath. Pearson's correlation analyses examined relationships between miRNAs and RH indices. Results RH participants (n 13) demonstrated postrun mydriasis (P 0.046) and hypothermia (P 0.043) relative to NRH participants (n 12) but had no difference in serotonin dynamics (P 0.88) Six miRNAs (miR 194 5p, miR 4676 3p, miR 4254, miR 4425, miR 1273 3p, miR 6743 5p) exhibited significant effects (false discovery rate P value 0.05) across pre or postrun and RH/NRH groups. These miRNAs displayed target enrichment for opioid (P 2.74E 06) and GABA (P 0.00016) pathways. miR 1237 3p levels were related with lost sense of time (R 0.40) Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK11) an endocannabinoid target of miR 1273 3p, was nominally elevated in RH participants (false discovery rate P value 0.11) Conclusions Unique dynamics in miRNA concentration occur in athletes with subjective/objective evidence of RH, targeting genes implicated endorphin, endocannabinoid, and GABAergic signaling.
Medicine and science in sports and exercise