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Plasma levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-18 after an acute physical exercise: relation with post-exercise energy intake in twins

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Abstract

Increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma levels have been described to occur during physical exercise. A relative reduction in energy intake after physical activity has also been reported after exercise, indicating a possible involvement of IL-6 as an anorexigenic factor. Given the possible effect of interleukins on appetite, we assessed whether a controlled physical activity bout is related with changes in IL-6, IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sR), gp130 and interleukin-18 (IL-18) plasma levels, as well as their relation with post-exercise energy intake. A co-twin intervention study was carried out with five young male monozygotic twin pairs. One co-twin performed 45 min of submaximal exercise on a treadmill near the anaerobic threshold ending with 7 min at 90 % VO2 max, while his co-twin remained non-active. Ad libitum energy intake was tested through a carbohydrate-rich meal test. Venous blood samples were drawn at baseline, immediately after exercise and after the meal ingestion. Plasma concentrations of IL-6, IL-6sR, gp130 and IL-18 were measured via ELISA. IL-6 plasma levels increased after physical activity bout (2.6-fold change; p = 0.04). A less marked trend, although still significant, was observed for plasma levels of IL-6sR and gp130. Plasma levels of IL-18 did not significantly change during exercise. The twins who exercised exhibited significantly lower energy intake (181 versus 1,195 kcal; p = 0.04), compared to the co-twins who remained resting. The present study in monozygotic twins shows increased IL-6 plasma levels after acute physical exercise with a significant reduction in energy intake, supporting a linkage between IL-6 and acute post-exercise eating behaviour.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Chilean grant from the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico 1090388. We acknowledge Dr. Fernando Yáñez, Francisca Márquez and María José Bustamante from the Medical Centre San Jorge (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile) for their support. We are also grateful to M. Sc. Oscar Castillo for his collaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Postal code 8320000, Santiago, Chile

    C. Almada, L. R. Cataldo, S. V. Smalley, A. Serrano, M. I. Hodgson & J. L. Santos

  2. Department of Physical Education, Universidad de la Frontera, Temuco, Chile

    E. Diaz

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  1. C. Almada
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  2. L. R. Cataldo
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  7. J. L. Santos
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Correspondence to J. L. Santos.

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Almada, C., Cataldo, L.R., Smalley, S.V. et al. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-18 after an acute physical exercise: relation with post-exercise energy intake in twins. J Physiol Biochem 69, 85–95 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-012-0191-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-012-0191-x

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