Military Medicine · Jan 13, 2026

Oxylipin Responses during the Yukon Arctic Ultra: The Longest and Coldest Ultramarathon in the World

By Coker RH, Tsuji T, Thomas RJ et al.

INTRODUCTION: Aerobic exercise and cold exposure modulate lipid mediator production, which may optimize physiological resilience. The Yukon Arctic Ultra (YAU), a 692-km self-provisioned multiday endurance event, offers a unique opportunity to examine lipidomic adaptations to nutrients and environmental and physical stress. This study aimed to identify lipid mediators responsive in YAU athletes compared to control participants. METHODS: Nine athletes and six controls were recruited from the 2017 and 2019 YAU events. Targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry-based signaling lipidomic analysis was conducted on serum samples collected from participants at pre-event, during the event, and post-event time points. RESULTS: Athletes and controls did not differ significantly in age, body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), or fat-free mass index. During the event, athletes exhibited significant reductions in BMI, fat mass, and FMI, whereas no changes were observed in controls. Athletes showed higher baseline levels of anti-inflammatory oxylipins, including resolvin D2 and lipoxin A4 (LXA4), and lower levels of the pro-inflammatory leukotriene E4 compared to controls. Linoleic acid- and α-linolenic acid-derived oxylipins were also elevated in athletes. Notably, these anti-inflammatory lipids remained elevated throughout the event. Certain hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acids demonstrated a declining trend during the event in athletes. DISCUSSION: YAU athletes exhibit a distinct lipidomic signature marked by persistently elevated anti-inflammatory oxylipins, likely reflecting a complex interplay between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Overall, the oxylipin shifts point to anti-inflammatory and thermogenic adaptations that support physiological resilience during physical, nutrient, and environmental stress in austere circumstances.

doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf622 Open access PubMed 41525801 Mechanisms