We measured changes in the protein: creatinine and trypsin inhibitor: creatinine ratios in the urine of six male marathon runners. Samples of urine were collected before the run, immediately after the run and in 6-h collections for 2 days. We found the greatest increase in the protein: creatinine ratio (2.6 times greater) in urine collected immediately after the run and the greatest increase in the trypsin inhibitor: creatinine ratio in urine samples collected 6-12 and 12-18 h after the run (2 and 3 times greater, respectively). This suggests the existence of different mechanisms for these two physiological processes. The later increase in the trypsin inhibitor: creatinine ratio was perhaps, due to a state of short-lived inflamation and shock after severe physical effort.