CCL2 Gene Expression and Protein Level Changes Observed in Response to Wingate Anaerobic Test in High-Trained Athletes and Non-Trained Controls

Abstract

Intensive, acute exercise may bring a large systemic inflammatory response marked by substantial increases in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. One such chemokines–CCL2–is a key factor involved in inflammatory reaction to exercise. The direct aim of the study was to describe the changes in the CCL2 expression levels after anaerobic exercise in well-trained athletes adapted to long-term training and in non-trained participants. The expression of CCL2 mRNA was evaluated in peripheral blood MNCs and CCL2 protein level was observed in blood plasma. The changes were assessed as the response to an acute, intensive bout of exercise (Wingate Anaerobic Test) in two groups of participants: well-trained soccer players and non-trained individuals. An increase of CCL2 expression inn both mRNA and protein levels was observed. The response was greater in non-trained individuals and elevated levels of CCL2 transcripts persisted for more than 24 h after exercise. Well-trained individuals responded more modestly and the effect was attenuated relatively quickly. This shows muscular adaptation to a continuous training regime in well-trained individuals and better control of immune reactions to muscular injury. In non-training individuals, the induction of the inflammatory response was greater, suggesting presence of more serious myotrauma.

Cytokines as Biomarkers for Evaluating Physical Exercise in Trained and Non-Trained Individuals: A Narrative Review

“…In non-training subjects, the results were different. The number of MCP-1 transcripts was relatively high immediately after the test, and then the observed MCP-1 expression decreased to a lower level [ 75 ]. Also, when running on a treadmill for 45 and 60 min with VO2max = 60% or 80%, significant increases in this cytokine level were found in the plasma of trained male runners [ 66 ].…”

“…Only a few studies have examined the relationship between training level and cytokine secretion. For example, one study found that trained athletes had lower levels of chemokine CCL2 compared to non-trained individuals, indicating a potential adaptation to chronic exercise [ 75 ]. Another study found that trained athletes had lesser magnitude of change in the cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α), during strenuous exercise compared to untrained individuals [ 113 ].…”