High-intensity intermittent exercise induces a potential anti-inflammatory response in healthy women across the menstrual cycle

The effects of menstrual cycle phases on immune function and inflammation at rest and after acute exercise: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Only 17 studies with a total of 172 participants (endurance trained: 32, resistance trained: 19, recreationally active: 58 and healthy or sedentary: 63 participants) compared the inflammatory and immunological response to exercise between at least two menstrual cycle phases (Table 9). The type of exercise was quite heterogenous: neuromuscular electrical stimulation exercise was performed in one study, 88 continuous running in three studies, 99,106,185 high intensity interval running sessions in three studies, 100,103,142 stepping on a platform in three studies, 66,129,132 continuous cycling in four studies, 49,56,107 and eccentric exercise in three studies 110,120 …”

“…Furthermore, due to the load bearing and the type of contractions performed during running, 221 there is a higher degree of mechanical stress on the muscle and other tissue, which can result in a larger release of catecholamines and therefore represents a stronger stimulus for leukocyte recruitment 222 . The results from the analyzed studies show that running exercise leads to a greater post‐exercise increase in MIP‐1α and leptin 142 and greater post‐exercise decrease in IL‐10 in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase 103 . This could suggest that in the luteal phase, running exercise may provoke a stronger pro‐inflammatory response.…”

“…Quality represents the risk of bias rating (low, moderate, or high), OV test signifies whether ovulation testing to determine cycle phase was performed, and E2 & P4 signifies whether cycle phase was verified by serum estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) analysis. high intensity interval running sessions in three studies, 100,103,142 stepping on a platform in three studies, 66,129,132 continuous cycling in four studies, 49,56,107 and eccentric exercise in three studies. 110,120 Also, the inflammatory and immunologic parameters analyzed were heterogenous: IL-6 (n = 9); TNF-α (n = 3); IL-8, CRP, leukocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes (all n = 3); G-CSF, IL-10, IL-17, MIP-1α, leptin, adiponectin, and proportions of Th cell subpopulations (all n = 1).…”

“…222 The results from the analyzed studies show that running exercise leads to a greater post-exercise increase in MIP-1α and leptin 142 and greater post-exercise decrease in IL-10 in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase. 103 This could suggest that in the luteal phase, running exercise may provoke a stronger pro-inflammatory response. In line with these results, Northoff et al showed a strong upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes and downregulation of anti-inflammatory genes in PBMCs of women performing exercise in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase.…”

Elevated IL-1β and Comparable IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Levels Are Characteristic Features of L-PRP in Female College Athletes Compared to Male Professional Soccer Players

“…If other proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels align with the trends observed for IL-1β and IL-1RA levels, it may suggest that although fCAs have significantly lower levels of representative growth factors in their PRP, tissue regeneration might proceed at a faster, or at least equal, rate than that in mPSPs by effectively controlling the inflammatory phase of the healing process. Notably, although women have a higher capacity to induce inflammatory responses, they also possess a higher capacity to resolve inflammation [39,40].…”