Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Marathon-Induced Changes in Serum Exerkine Levels and Inflammation

Abstract

Participation in a long-distance run, e.g., marathon or ultramarathon, continues to increase. One side effect of long-distance running is excessive inflammation manifested by the rise in inflammatory cytokine levels. We here aimed to elucidate the effects of 10-day ischemic preconditioning (IPC) training on marathon-induced inflammation and to evaluate the role of serum-stored iron in this process. The study involved 19 recreational runners taking part in a marathon. IPC training was performed in the course of four cycles, by inflating and deflating a blood pressure cuff at 5-min intervals (IPC group, n = 10); the control group underwent sham training (n = 9). The levels of inflammatory and others markers (FSTL-1, IL-6, IL-15, leptin, resistin, TIMP-1, OSM, and LIF) were measured before and 24 h after training; and before, immediately after, and 24 h and 7 day after the marathon. The 10-day IPC training increased serum leptin levels. IL-6, IL-10, FLST-1, and resistin levels were increased, while TIMP-1 levels were decreased in all runners after the marathon. The changes were significantly blunted in runners from the IPC group compared with the control group. Baseline serum iron levels correlated with IL-6 and FSTL-1 levels; serum ferritin correlated with IL-6, FSTL-1, and resistin levels after the marathon. Conversely, serum TIMP-1 levels inversely correlated with serum iron levels. Although not evident at baseline, IPC training significantly reduced marathon-induced inflammation. In addition, the reduced responsiveness and attenuation of running-induced inflammation were inversely related to baseline serum iron and ferritin levels.

cfDNA Changes in Maximal Exercises as a Sport Adaptation Predictor

“…There are many studies that show that inflammation processes are associated with physical activity, especially when it is done in maximal effort conditions [29][30][31]. Most analyses are based on serum exerkine level, because it is a well-established and well understood activity [29]. In most populations adapted to physical activity, we observe the specific mechanism of body adjustment associated to the type of training that the person does over the course of a lifetime.…”

“…There are many studies that show that inflammation processes are associated with physical activity, especially when it is done in maximal effort conditions [29][30][31]. Most analyses are based on serum exerkine level, because it is a well-established and well understood activity [29].…”

Methodological Variations Contributing to Heterogenous Ergogenic Responses to Ischemic Preconditioning

“…Most reports to date have conducted their exercise testing acutely on the same day as the IPC stimulus. However, a minority of studies have conducted exercise testing after repeated daily IPC exposure ranging from 7 days to 6 weeks (Banks et al, 2016 ; Jeffries et al, 2019 ; Slysz and Burr, 2019 ; Mieszkowski et al, 2020 ; Paradis-Deschênes et al, 2020a ; Surkar et al, 2020 ). There also is substantial variation in whether IPC is administered unilaterally or bilaterally to the limb(s), which may influence the magnitude of response.…”

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Reduces Marathon-Induced Oxidative Stress and Decreases Liver and Heart Injury Markers in the Serum

“…Each participant underwent 10 consecutive days ( Thijssen et al, 2016 ) of either RIPC or SHAM conditioning before the marathon run. In both cases, the procedure was performed in the supine position, with bilateral arterial occlusion of both legs ( Griffin et al, 2018 ; Mieszkowski et al, 2020 ). The occlusion cuff was positioned proximally around the thigh and inflated to 220mmHg (to block the arterial inflow) or 20mmHg (placebo effect) in the RIPC and SHAM groups, respectively ( Paull and Van Guilder, 2019 ; Mieszkowski et al, 2020 ).…”

“…In both cases, the procedure was performed in the supine position, with bilateral arterial occlusion of both legs ( Griffin et al, 2018 ; Mieszkowski et al, 2020 ). The occlusion cuff was positioned proximally around the thigh and inflated to 220mmHg (to block the arterial inflow) or 20mmHg (placebo effect) in the RIPC and SHAM groups, respectively ( Paull and Van Guilder, 2019 ; Mieszkowski et al, 2020 ). Both procedures consisted of four sets of 5-min inflation, followed by 5-min deflation ( Cocking et al, 2018 ).…”