Effect of a four-week exercise program on the secretion of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-6 cytokines in elite Taekwondo athletes

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to examine how a 4-week exercise program affects the serum levels of certain cytokines in Taekwondo athletes. The study involved 10 elite male Taekwondo athletes (mean age, 20.67±0.24 years; mean weight, 65.45±1.69 kg) who were studying at the Physical Education and Sports High School of Selçuk University (Konya, Turkey) in June 2014. The subjects were involved in a Taekwondo exercise program on every weekday for 4 weeks. The subjects were also engaged in an exercise to exhaustion session twice; once before starting the 4-week exercise program and once upon completion of the program. Blood samples were collected from the subjects in four rounds: During rest, upon fatigue, and before and after the 4-week exercise program. These samples were analyzed to establish the serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kits. Pre-and post-exercise program, the IFN-γ and TNF-α levels did not show any significant difference. When compared with the pre-exercise levels, serum IL-2 levels of the subjects were found to be elevated after the 4-week exercise program. The highest serum IL-6 values were established after the subjects were exercised to fatigue before the exercise program was initiated (P<0.05). The 4-week exercise program resulted in a decrease in IL-6 levels (P<0.05). The findings of the study indicate that a 4-week exercise program did not result in significant changes in IFN-γ and TNF-α levels, but led to an increase in IL-2 levels. The notable finding of the present study is that a 4-week exercise program reduces cellular immune functions and, thus, the levels of IL-6, which negatively influences performance.

Alterations in the mucosal immune system by a chronic exhausting exercise in Wistar rats

“…This decrease could be partially due to the lymphopaenia and the higher cortisol levels found in rats which were similarly trained 23 , 26 , since glucocorticoids’ immunosuppressant properties target both cell trafficking and proliferation capacity 67 , 68 . On the other hand, the well-characterized exhausting exercise-induced acute lymphocytosis 49 , 50 , which we previously reported 26 , together with the increase in IL-2 secretion by MLN lymphocytes observed in the current study and by other authors 69 , 70 , may explain the sudden increase in proliferation right after performing the final exhaustion test.…”

Effect of 12-Week Low-Intensity Exercise on Interleukin-2, Interferon-Gamma and Interleukin-4 Cytokine Production in Rat Spleens

“…11 IL-2 expression is affected by exercise. 12,13 IL-4 is involved in T cell proliferation and controls B cell, mast cell, and basophil reactions. 14 INF-γ is expressed by activated T cells after stimulation by antigens or mitogens and functions as a cytokine in immune reactions.…”

Assessment of Serum Cytokines and Oxidative Stress Markers in Elite Athletes Reveals Unique Profiles Associated With Different Sport Disciplines

“…Studies focusing on the immune-inflammatory profiles of athletes from different training formats have reported inconsistent findings with regard to cytokine expression and cardiovascular adaptations (Rong et al, 2008;La Gerche et al, 2015;Schumann et al, 2015;Kaya, 2016;Jürimäe et al, 2018). Furthermore, a holistic analysis of progressive and adaptive immune responses to meet the physical needs of the cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal systems in elite athletes remains scarce (Campbell and Turner, 2018).…”