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Response of plasma IL-6 and its soluble receptors during submaximal exercise to fatigue in sedentary middle-aged men

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Cell Stress and Chaperones Aims and scope

Abstract

The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been demonstrated to increase during exercise. Little is known regarding the response of the soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R and sgp130) during such exercise. The aim of the current study was to investigate the response of plasma IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 during fatiguing submaximal exercise in humans. Twelve participants underwent an incremental exercise test to exhaustion and one week later performed a submaximal exercise bout (96 ± 6% lactate threshold) to volitional exhaustion. Blood samples taken at rest and immediately post exercise were analyzed for IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130. IL-6 increased (P < 0.01) by 8.4 ± 8.9 pg ml−1 (75.7%) during the exercise period. sIL-6R and sgp130 also increased (P < 0.05) by 2.7 ± 3.9 ng ml−1 (9.6%) and 37.7 ± 55.6 ng ml−1 (9.6%), respectively. The current study is the first investigation to demonstrate that alongside IL-6, acute exercise stress results in an increase in both sIL-6R and sgp130.

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Author notes

  1. M. A. Nimmo

    Present address: School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK

  2. M. Robinson

    Present address: Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Bath, Bath, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    S. R. Gray, M. Robinson & M. A. Nimmo

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  1. S. R. Gray
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  2. M. Robinson
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Correspondence to M. A. Nimmo.

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Gray, S.R., Robinson, M. & Nimmo, M.A. Response of plasma IL-6 and its soluble receptors during submaximal exercise to fatigue in sedentary middle-aged men. Cell Stress and Chaperones 13, 247–251 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12192-008-0019-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12192-008-0019-3

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