The Cytokine Response to Physical Activity and Training

Abstract

Cytokines are soluble glycoproteins that are produced by and mediate communication between and within immune and nonimmune cells, organs and organ systems throughout the body. Pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators constitute the inflammatory cytokines, which are modulated by various stimuli, including physical activity, trauma and infection. Physical activity affects local and systemic cytokine production at different levels, often exhibiting striking similarity to the cytokine response to trauma and infection. The present review examines the cytokine response to short term exercise stress, with an emphasis on the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and modulation of both innate and specific immune parameters through cytokine regulation. The effects of long term exercise on cytokine responses and the possible impact on various facets of the immune system are also discussed, with reference to both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of exercise training. Finally, the validity of using exercise as a model for trauma and sepsis is scruti- nised in the light of physiological changes, symptomatology and outcome, and limitations of the model are addressed. Further studies, examining the effect of exercise, trauma and infection on novel cytokines and cytokine systems are needed to elucidate the significance of cytokine regulation by physical activity and, more importantly, to clarify the health implications of short and long term physical activity with respect to overall immune function and resistance to infection.

Role of Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 signaling pathways on the inflammatory response to resistance training in elderly subjects

“…Indeed, exercise is able to increase the plasma concentration of several cytokines that induce a decrease in TLR expression (Gleeson et al 2006). This idea is supported by the immunoregulatory effect of chronic exercise, which induces an increase of IL-10 and an amelioration of TNF-α in plasma (Moldoveanu et al 2001;Steensberg et al 2003;Vieira et al 2007). Our data show that resistance exercise induced a marked upregulation of IL-10 protein expression, yet TNF-α protein level was unchanged.…”

Aerobic conditioning and allergic pulmonary inflammation in mice. II. Effects on lung vascular and parenchymal inflammation and remodeling

“…Some studies present that the effects of aerobic training on the immune system are mediated by increased release of IL-10 (34,43,55). Some recognized sources of IL-10 release during aerobic training are activated skeletal muscle and lymphocytes, as part of the anti-inflammatory effects of aerobic training in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (34,43,55). IL-10 also presents anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models of chronic allergic lung inflammation (14, 35).…”

Indicadores de lesão muscular e inflamação em ciclistas de elite em diferentes situações competitivas.

“…Componentes da resposta inflamatória, dependentes ou independentes do sistema imune, são ativados em resposta ao trauma, exercício físico e infecções (Moldoveanu et al, 2001).…”

“…Como o exercício físico é um modelo gerador de estresse capaz de provocar uma resposta inflamatória, a potencialidade com que esses mediadores se apresentarão dependerá do tipo de exercício físico e do seu modo de execução (Moldoveanu et al, 2001). …”

“…De acordo com Moldoveanu et al (2001), a concentração plasmática de citocinas tem maior aumento após sessões de treinamento com predominância do componente excêntrico, entretanto, aquelas sessões com predominância do componente concêntrico também induzem a produção de citocinas. Além disso, a magnitude do aumento na concentração plasmática destas substâncias esta intimamente ligada à duração do exercício (Moldoveanu et al, 2001).…”