Effects of exercise training on plasma cytokine and chemokine levels, and thermoregulation

Pyrogenic factors may include the proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-8 (chemokine). Exercise also causes cytokinemia that might result in pyrogenically mediated body temperature elevation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of exercise training on exercise-induced plasma concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8. Messenger RNA levels of these factors were also evaluated in peripheral blood leukocytes. We also observed the relationship between cykokines, chemokines, and sweating after exercise. Nine tennis athletes (n=9) and untrained sedentary control subjects (n=10) ran for 1 h at 75% intensity of VO2max. Venous blood samples were analyzed for plasma concentrations and mRNA expression in leukocytes of cytokines and chemokine of interest. Sweat volume was calculated by measuring body weight changes. Leukocyte mRNA expression and plasma protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-8 immediately increased after exercise in both groups, but to a much greater extent in the athletic group. However, mRNA expression and plasma protein level for IL-6 and TNF-α, unlike IL-1β and IL-8, decreased more quickly in the athletic group compared to the control group during the recovery period. Compared to the control group, greater sweat loss volumes, and lower body temperatures in athletic group were observed at all time points. In conclusion, exercise training improved physical capacity and sweating function so that body temperature was more easily regulated during and after exercise. This may due to improved production of specific cytokine and chemokine in sweating during exercise.