Effects of whole-body cryotherapy on 25-hydroxyvitamin D, irisin, myostatin, and interleukin-6 levels in healthy young men of different fitness levels

Abstract

Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue play an important role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and thermogenesis. We aimed to investigate the effects of single and repeated exposure to wholebody cryotherapy in volunteers with different physical fitness levels on 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) and myokines. The study included 22 healthy male volunteers (mean age: 21 ± 1.17 years), who underwent 10 consecutive sessions in a cryogenic chamber once daily (3 minutes, −110 °C). Blood samples were collected before and 30 minutes and 24 hours after the first and last cryotherapy sessions. Prior to treatment, body composition and physical fitness levels were measured. After 10 cryotherapy treatments, significant changes were found in myostatin concentrations in the low physical fitness level (LPhL) group. The 25(OH)D levels were increased in the high physical fitness level (HPhL) group and decreased in the LPhL group. The HPhL group had significant changes in the level of high-sensitivity interleukin-6 after the first treatment. The LPhL group had significant changes in 25(OH)D, irisin, and myostatin levels after the tenth treatment. Our data demonstrated that in healthy young men, cryotherapy affects 25(OH)D levels, but they were small and transient. The body's response to a series of 10 cryotherapy treatments is modified by physical fitness level.Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) (also referred to as whole-body cryostimulation) has been used for many years in Europe. Initially, due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, it was empirically applied as a symptomatic adjunct therapy in rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and fibromyalgia) 1-4 . In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the possibility of administering systemic cryotherapy to athletes and physically active individuals to improve recovery of injured muscles following exercise 5-7 and enhance athletic performance 8 .The effects of acute or chronic exposure to low temperatures on the human body and the resulting physiological reactions are continuously being researched. Low temperature exposure affects several biological reactions in the body, which are mediated by the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, along with an increased secretion of cortisol and catecholamines 9 . Bleakley et al. 10 concluded that WBC could have a potentially beneficial effect on inflammatory mediators, antioxidant capacity, and autonomic function during recovery. Cryotherapy has also been shown to play a preventative role against the harmful effects of inflammation and pain caused by exercise 6 . Lombardi et al. 6 noted that WBC does not always lead to beneficial biochemical changes; however, it may improve the final clinical status of the individual by reducing the pain experienced during post-exercise recovery.Most of the research conducted on WBC focuses on the acute effects of single or repeated exposure to WBC treatment in athletes. There is little data on the length of time that th...

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“…The anti-inflammatory effect of whole-body cryotherapy is demonstrated by an increase in the concentration of irisin and IL-6 without changes in the concentration of CRP in the blood. As in this study, there were no significant changes in CRP levels after 10 WBC treatments in 20-year-old non-obese men, regardless of their physical fitness level [43]. In contrast, in obese 40-year-old men, both in the LFL and HFL groups, after 10 WBC, the CRP concentration was significantly lower than before the initiation of cryotherapy, which indicates an anti-inflammatory effect of the treatments, and the concentration of IL-6, similar to that in young men [43], did not change [26].…”

“…As in this study, there were no significant changes in CRP levels after 10 WBC treatments in 20-year-old non-obese men, regardless of their physical fitness level [43]. In contrast, in obese 40-year-old men, both in the LFL and HFL groups, after 10 WBC, the CRP concentration was significantly lower than before the initiation of cryotherapy, which indicates an anti-inflammatory effect of the treatments, and the concentration of IL-6, similar to that in young men [43], did not change [26]. Many of the previously researches indicate the anti-inflammatory effect of WBC [30].…”

“…However, in the LFL group, 10 WBC treatments have been found to increase the concentration of irisin in the blood by about 18% [26]. In the research by Sliwicka et al [43], a significant increase in the concentration of irisin in the blood was found in young men with LFL (VO 2max < 43 mL/kg/min) in response to the 10th WBC procedure. In young men, the irisin concentration did not change significantly after the 1st WBC treatment or after the 10th WBC series [43].…”

“…In the research by Sliwicka et al [43], a significant increase in the concentration of irisin in the blood was found in young men with LFL (VO 2max < 43 mL/kg/min) in response to the 10th WBC procedure. In young men, the irisin concentration did not change significantly after the 1st WBC treatment or after the 10th WBC series [43]. In our study, women from both groups were characterised by low or moderate physical activity, none of the women practiced high-level physical activity.…”

“…It is known that physical exercise is a factor increasing irisin secretion in obese people [42]. In two earlier conducted studies, it was indicated that exposure to cryogenic temperatures may also be a factor inducing the secretion of this hormone, although the studies were carried out only in men, both with normal body mass [43] and those obese [26].…”