IMPACT OF INTENSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ATHLETES ON INTESTINAL MUCOSAL INTEGRITY AND ITS ROLE IN ACUTE GASTRIC HEMORRHAGE AND POSTOPERATIVE INFECTION RISKS

Abstract

In the context of rising gastric disease prevalence, acute gastric hemorrhage presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly among athletes who engage in intense physical activity. This demographic may have unique vulnerabilities due to the stress and strain of their rigorous training and performance routines. Acute gastric bleeding can arise from various sources, including gastritis from Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric ulcers, or vascular abnormalities exacerbated by lifestyle factors like excessive alcohol consumption. However, the impact of high-intensity physical exertion, common in athletes, on these conditions remains underexplored. In athletes, the management of acute gastric bleeding often involves conservative drug therapy post-hemodilation, with proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole offering both anti-inflammatory and acid-inhibiting effects. Surgical intervention is reserved for severe cases, considering the heightened risk of postoperative abdominal infections due to the stomach's unique physiology and its microbial population. This study focuses on the intestinal mucosal barrier's function postoperatively in athletes who have undergone treatment for acute gastric bleeding. We explore how intense physical activity influences intestinal mucosal integrity and its subsequent role in postoperative infection risks. The role of high-mobility group box1 (HMGB1) and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in this context is also examined. HMGB1, a crucial pro-inflammatory cytokine and late inflammatory mediator, and RAGE, a significant HMGB1 receptor, are believed to play pivotal roles in the inflammatory response following acute gastric bleeding. Our research aims to investigate the changes in intestinal mucosal barrier function and the levels of HMGB1 and RAGE in athletes with acute gastric bleeding. This study will provide insights into how physical stressors unique to athletes might affect postoperative outcomes, particularly infection risks. The findings could guide the development of tailored therapeutic and preventative strategies for this specific population.