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Muscle-to-organ cross-talk mediated by interleukin 6 during exercise: a review

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Abstract

Physical activity is increasingly recommended as a therapeutic approach for various lifestyle-related conditions, including type 2 diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Recent advancements in scientific research have uncovered the role of skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ, releasing interleukin 6 (IL-6) in response to physical activity. This secretion facilitates communication between the muscle and other organs/systems in the body, including the brain, adipose tissue, brown tissue, bone, liver, gut, pancreas, and within the muscle itself. IL-6 has diverse biological functions, including appetite regulation, lipid and glucose metabolism, promotion of browning of white adipose tissue, bone formation, muscle hypertrophy, and modulation of tumor growth. A search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science from inception until December 2022 to identify original studies investigating the cross-talk mediated by Interleukin 6 during exercise. These findings suggest that IL-6 could serve as a valuable biomarker to monitor exercise prescription for individuals with conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

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  1. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Imam Ali Officers’ University, Imam Khomeini Street, Hor Square, Post Box 131789-3471, Tehran, Iran

    Reza Sabzevari Rad

  2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahab Danesh University, Qom, Iran

    Fatemeh Panahzadeh

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Sabzevari Rad, R., Panahzadeh, F. Muscle-to-organ cross-talk mediated by interleukin 6 during exercise: a review. Sport Sci Health 20, 1–13 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-023-01102-7

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