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.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise would induce inflammatory response characterized by increased pro‐inflammatory cytokines – interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), adhesion molecule, matrix metalloprotease‐9 (MMP‐9) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels. Additional aim was to elucidate the possible source of maximal exercise‐induced increase in MMP‐9 concentration. To examine our hypothesis, 26 professional male ice hockey players [age 25 ± 1 (mean ± SEM) years; BMI 25.8 ± 0.4 kg/m2] performed an incremental bicycle test until exhaustion, when maximal oxygen consumption was recorded. Venous blood samples were collected 30 min before and 2 min after exercise. There was an increase in the count of leucocytes (8.7 ± 1.8 versus 5.7 ± 1.3 × 109 cells per l) and IL‐6 (1.24 ± 0.17 versus 0.69 ± 0.13 pg/ml), MPO (72 ± 7 versus 50 ± 4 ng/ml) and MPP‐9 (139 ± 9 versus 110 ± 6 ng/ml) concentrations (P < 0.05) comparing post‐ and pre‐exercise levels. Maximal exercise‐induced increase in MPO correlated with the increases in IL‐6 (P < 0.05, R = 0.54) and MMP‐9 (P < 0.01, R = 0.62) concentrations. Furthermore, increase in IL‐6 correlated with the increase in MMP‐9 concentrations (P < 0.05, R = 0.60). Maximal exercise induces an inflammatory response characterized by leucocytosis and increased IL‐6, MPO and MMP‐9 concentrations. Correlations between increased MPO (marker of neutrophils degranulation) and both increased IL‐6 and MMP‐9 concentrations may suggest that neutrophils could be the main source of these inflammatory biomarkers during maximal exercise. Furthermore, correlation between increases in serum IL‐6 and MMP‐9 concentrations may suggest that IL‐6 could exert modulatory effects on MMP‐9 release during maximal exercise.

ObjectiveA potential mechanism by which obesity could promote hypertension and kidney diseases is through accumulation of adipose tissue in the renal sinus (RS). The aim of the study was to quantify RS and abdominal adipose tissue volumes and to evaluate serum kidney injury molecule (sKIM)-1 and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 association with different adipose tissue compartments.MethodsThe cross-sectional study included 280 and follow-up study-40 asymptomatic participants; aged 38.30 ± 4.10. For all study participants computed tomography examination was performed, sKIM-1 and FGF-21 levels were measured.ResultsThe results indicated asymmetrical deposition of adipose tissue into the RS even after corresponding kidney volume adjustment. The cross-sectional and the follow-up studies showed that sKIM-1 level was positively associated with RS adipose tissue volume increase for both genders. FGF-21 was positively associated with RS and retroperitoneal adipose tissue amount.ConclusionsRegardless of gender adipose tissue in RS accumulates asymmetrically–the left RS accumulates a significantly higher amount of adipose tissue. Thus, primarily RS adipose tissue effects should be assessed on the left kidney. Accumulation of adipose tissue in the RS is related with the visceral adipose amount, KIM-1 and FGF-21 concentration increase in the blood serum.