Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Response to Exercise

Exercise, as with other stressors, initiates an immune response. For example, acute exercise of sufficient duration and intensity increases the concentrations of several anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 10 (IL-10). These cytokines signal immune cells and help direct immune cell function and migration. The pattern of the cytokine response depends on several factors, such as feeding status and exercise intensity. When considering the anti-inflammatory cytokine responses to exercise, it is also important to distinguish between the effects of acute and chronic exercise. In this entry, both acute and chronic effects of exercise on anti-inflammatory cytokines are discussed.

Commonly measured anti-inflammatory cytokines include IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra) and IL-10. In addition, IL-6 has recently gained recognition as having anti-inflammatory properties; however, IL-6 appears to have both pro- ...