Increase in IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9, but not sICAM-1, concentrations depends on exercise duration

Abstract

It has been suggested that exercise intensity is of importance in the regulation of increase in pro-inflammatory molecules, but there is still a debate about the effect of duration on these molecules. Therefore, the effect of exercise duration on the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble form of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was studied in 22 half-marathon (HM) and 18 marathon (M) male amateur runners who completed their exercise task in 1.8 ± 0.2 (mean ± standard deviation) and 3.6 ± 0.4 h, respectively (thus, average speed was 11.7 ± 1.5 and 11.9 ± 1.8 km h(-1), respectively). Blood was sampled 2 days before, 15 min after, and 28 h after the race. IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9 always increased immediately after exercise, but the increase was larger (P < 0.05) in M versus HM (∆IL-6: 31 ± 24 vs. 5 ± 4 pg ml(-1); ∆TNF-α: 1.7 ± 1.9 vs. 0.5 ± 0.8 pg ml(-1); MMP-9: 288 ± 216 vs. 145 ± 128 ng ml(-1), respectively). sICAM-1 also increased with exercise, but similarly in M and HM (20 ± 40 vs. 23 ± 32 ng ml(-1), respectively). Only sICAM-1 remained elevated 28 h post-exercise in both HM and M, while IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9 returned to pre-exercise levels. Competitive HM and M races induce significant increases in IL-6, TNF-α, sICAM-1, and MMP-9 concentrations. As HM and M runners performed the competition with similar absolute intensity, the difference in response between the groups suggests that exercise duration is of importance in the regulation of IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-9, but not sICAM-1 concentrations in response to prolonged running.

Do COPD and Healthy Subjects have Similar Acute Inflammatory Response Induced by Sub-maximum Effort Test?

“…For some time IL-6 was associated only with its pro-inflammatory action, with an important role in bacterial infections, being essential in increasing TNF-α blood levels, also important in fever induction and exacerbation in COPD [6,23]. However, in the last decade it has been classified as anti-inflammatory, if its increase is promoted by muscle contraction [22].…”

“…Even outside the clinical decompensation period and in rest, there are high levels of inflammatory cells, cytokines and acute phase proteins in these individuals' peripheral blood, being the main Interleukin 6 (IL-6), a interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumoral necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α) and Creactive protein (CRP) [3,4]. Physical exercise, depending on its intensity, duration and muscular mass involved, is capable of provoking an increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers levels in healthy individuals' peripheral blood [5,6] and in COPD carriers [7,8]. According to Van Helvoort et al [9], after maximum exercise, in COPD patients, there is a significant increase of leukocytes in peripheral blood.…”

“…According to Van Helvoort et al [9], after maximum exercise, in COPD patients, there is a significant increase of leukocytes in peripheral blood. Even in healthy athletes there is an elevation of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8, CRP) after very intense or long physical exercise, such as marathons [6,10].…”

Responsiveness of selected biomarkers of tissue damage to external load and frequency during repetitive lumbar flexion/extension

“…The main source of systemic IL6 levels following exercise is contracting muscle tissue (Keller et al 2005). Consistent with this, diverse forms of physical activity result in increased IL6 levels, including running (Reihmane et al 2012) and cycling (Toft et al 2002) in humans, and repetitive reaching in rats . The enzyme Creatine Kinase (CK) is found primarily in muscle cells, where it buffers cellular phosphate molecules.…”

Atrial fibrillation and physical activity

“…Reihmane és mtsai azt találták, hogy a félmaratoni 1,8 órás teljesítése után nem, de a maratoni 3,6 órás lefutása után megnőtt az IL-6 és TNF-alfa [34]. Mivel a sebesség azonos volt (11,7, illetve 11,9 km/h), a tartamot vélik fontosnak a jelenség kiváltásában.…”