Variance in the Acute Inflammatory Response to Prolonged Cycling Is Linked to Exercise Intensity

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of age, body composition, physical fitness, training volume and intensity, and underlying systemic inflammation on exercise-induced inflammation and innate immune function in a heterogeneous group of cyclists. Subjects included 31 male cyclists (mean ± standard deviation, age 38.8 ± 10.6 years, body fat 17.8%± 5.6%, VO(2max) 55.8 ± 8.4 mL kg(-1) min(-1)) who cycled for 1.75 h at 60% watts(max) followed by a 10-km time trial (18.3 ± 0.3 min). Blood samples were collected pre-, post-, and 1-h-postexercise, and analyzed for WBCs, 9 cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12p70], and granulocyte and monocyte phagocytosis (GR-PHAG and MO-PHAG) and oxidative burst activity (GR-OBA and MO-OBA). Exercise-induced changes varied widely, with significant increases measured for 8 of 9 cytokines, GR-PHAG (mean change 99%) (95% confidence limits, 69%, 128%) and MO-PHAG (43%) (28%, 58%), and WBC (160%) (133%, 187%), and decreases for GR-OBA (-30%) (-43%,-16%) and MO-OBA (-23%) (-36%,-10%). Correlation and stepwise regression analysis revealed that changes in these variables were not related to age, body fat percentage, VO(2max), training volume, or pre-exercise C-reactive protein. Performance measures, specifically the average heart rate and rating of perceived exertion, were correlated with changes in several variables, including IL-8 (r=0.68 and 0.67, respectively, P<0.001) and IL-6 (r=0.51, P=0.004, and r=0.46, P=0.011, respectively). In summary, variance in exercise-induced inflammation and innate immunity in male cyclists in response to 2 h of endurance exercise is best explained by exercise intensity.

Neuro-Immuno-Endocrine Modulation in Marathon Runners

“…The increased production of cytokines may be associated with different cell types from the immune and other systems [35,36,37]. In the current study, we observed an increase in IL-8 and IL-10 levels immediately after the race that is consistent with the literature [9,38].…”

“…IL-8, a pro-inflammatory cytokine mainly produced by monocytes, endothelial cells [13] and skeletal muscle [35,36], classically acts as a chemokine that attracts primarily neutrophils and angiogenic factors [35,40]. Moreover, Marsland et al [41] showed increased production of IL-8 in situations of perceived stress during chronic stress and Xiong et al [42] demonstrated important influences of IL-8 on neuronal function, as well as on mood state [13].…”

Regular Exercise Enhances the Immune Response Against Microbial Antigens Through Up-Regulation of Toll-like Receptor Signaling Pathways

“…Furthermore, regular highintensity exercise can lead to decreased secretion of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-8 and IL-10 [10,11]. Insufficient recovery between periods of prolonged exercise appears to exaggerate these effects [12].…”

Effects of intradialytic exercise on systemic cytokine in patients with chronic kidney disease

“…Acute modulations in systemic TNF-a remain controversial, and this response is linked to the volume of the exercise performed. 22 In CKD, for Viana et al, 23 30 min of aerobic exercise in pre-dialysis individuals induced significant elevation of IL-6 and IL-10, with little effect in the TNF receptors (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII) in post exercise. After one hour from the exercise session, IL-6 and IL-10 remained in higher concentrations and an increase in sTNF-RII was found.…”