Physical Activity Regulates TNFα and IL-6 Expression to Counteract Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Abstract

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common inherited diseases. It is characterised by a severe decline in pulmonary function associated with metabolic perturbations and an increased production of inflammatory cytokines. The key role of physical activity (PA) in improving the health status of CF patients and reducing lung function decline has recently been demonstrated. This study evaluated interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) expression in two subgroups of CF patients classified based on PA. Methods: We selected 85 CF patients; half of them regularly undertook supervised PA in the three years leading up to the study and half of them were not physically active. Patients were analysed for serum IL-6 and TNFα levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: We found that the expression levels of IL-6 and TNFα differed in terms of their regulation by PA. In particular, TNFα levels negatively correlated with FEV1% decrease/year and FEV1% decrease (p = 0.023 and p = 0.02, respectively), and positively correlated with serum fasting glucose (p = 0.019) in PA CF patients. In contrast, in the NPA subgroup, TNFα levels were positively correlated with IL-6 (p = 0.001) and negatively correlated with adiponectin (p = 0.000). In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed that PA is an independent modulator of the inflammatory state. Conclusions: PA modulates inflammatory processes in CF patients by regulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and thus ameliorating lung function. Our data show that PA is a useful complementary strategy in the management of CF and that TNFα may be a marker of these effects of PA.

Effects of an early rehabilitation program for adult cystic fibrosis patients during hospitalization: a randomized clinical trial

“…Our exercise rehabilitation program did not change any of the inflammatory markers analyzed. On the other hand, another study demonstrated that physical activity modulates IL-6 and TNF- levels in patients with CF ( 29 ). However, Nigro et al ( 29 ) evaluated patients who performed supervised physical activity regularly for three years before the study.…”

“…On the other hand, another study demonstrated that physical activity modulates IL-6 and TNF- levels in patients with CF ( 29 ). However, Nigro et al ( 29 ) evaluated patients who performed supervised physical activity regularly for three years before the study. Similarly, other studies showed that brief and moderate exercise can improve inflammatory cytokines in CF ( 6 , 30 ).…”

The silencing of SAAL1 suppresses pneumonia progression via modulating the NLR signaling pathway

“…LPS stimulation is capable of activating the inflammatory cascades, such as TNF-α and IL-6 (33,34). TNF-α and IL-6 are representative inflammatory cytokines that participate in the progression of various diseases, such as diabetes, sepsis, cardiovascular diseases, fibrosis, and cancers (35)(36)(37)(38). The abnormal serum levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α are proposed as potential diagnostic biomarkers for community-acquired pneumonia and coronavirus disease infection (39)(40)(41).…”

Physical activity, respiratory physiotherapy practices, and nutrition among people with primary ciliary dyskinesia in Switzerland

“…We know from other chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), that physical activity is associated with improved sputum expectoration. Particularly beneficial are higher intensity activities followed by respiratory physiotherapy [10,11].…”