Effect of a submaximal exercise on plasma cytokine, oxidant and antioxidant levels in trained and sedantery young males

Skeletal muscle has been recognized to release some cytokines, called `myokines?, like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) during exercise. IL-6 modulates immun and metabolic responses to exercise; IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Exercise also affects the production of both reactive oxygen species, which are known to damage cells, and anti-oxidants to counteract them.We evaluated the plasma cytokine, oxidant and antioxidant responses to an exercise test up to anaerobic threshold in young male footballers and age-matched sedantary students. An ethical approval was obtained from Hacettepe University Ethics Committee. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after and 24 hours after a `multi stage shuttle run test? up to anaerobic threshold, all at the same periods early in the morning. Plasma IL-6 and IL-10 levels were detected by ELISA, oxidants (MDA), anti-oxidants (RSH) and nitric oxide (NO) were detected spectrophotometrically at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine Laboratories.Running up to anaerobic threshold did not exert a systemic cytokine response in both groups (p>0.05). MDA increased after exercise especially in sedantery group (p<0.01). RSH decreased with exercise in both groups (p<0.01), however in trained group it returned to baseline 24 hours later but in sedanteries it did not. Although NO levels were higher in trained group 24 hours later, the difference was not significant (p>0.05).In conclusion a submaximal exercise affects plasma oxidants and antioxidants, but does not affect plasma cytokines. Oxidants and antioxidants returned to baseline 24 hours after exercise in trained group; but such a recovery was not observed in sedanteries.