Interleukin-6 and exercise; early evidence of a novel myokine

Author

Brendan Hogg Mr., University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Year of Award

2018

Document Type

Professional Paper

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Health and Human Performance (Exercise Science Option)

Department or School/College

Health and Human Performance

Committee Chair

John Quindry

Commitee Members

Charles Dumke, Laurie Minns, Colin Henderson

Keywords

myokine, exercise, health, disease, physical activity, medicine

Subject Categories

Biochemistry | Cardiovascular Diseases | Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science | Immune System Diseases | Physiology | Public Health | Sports Sciences

Abstract

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was first identified as a pleiotropic cytokine, with a host of body-wide functions. Cytokine functions are characterized by chronically elevated levels within various inflammatory states. In this regard, IL-6 is largely associated with the acute phase response to many stimuli and performs specific actions when produced from certain cell types. Accrued evidence indicates IL-6 release from skeletal muscle often includes myokine functions. Novel myokine functions are adaptive in nature, and as compared to inflammatory/cytokine roles, exhibit a transient time course. Following exercise plasma IL-6 peaks and returns to resting levels within 1-2 hours. In contrast, IL-6 is observed to be consistently elevated in a much longer time course during inflammatory disease states. Production and release of IL-6 is reliant on many stress dependent factors, but from a skeletal muscle perspective, the release appears to be bioenergetic/fatigue dependent. Moreover, long duration in conjunction with high intensity exercise results in the greatest IL-6 production. Association between IL-6 and the metabolic status of skeletal muscle, in regards to glycogen content and glucose uptake, has provided a new avenue of research. The acute increase in circulating IL-6 following exercise indicates divergent roles for IL-6. Recent evidence indicates that IL-6 exerts regulatory cyto-protection in regards to insulin sensitivity and metabolic stress. In addition, recent data suggest that IL-6 is central within mechanisms regarding cardio-protection from ischemic injury. Given these widespread benefits, there is reason to suspect additional myokine roles of IL-6 are on the horizon. Further research efforts with mechanistic approaches should be directed toward investigating skeletal muscle derived IL-6 in regards to exercise-induced protection from metabolic and ischemic injury.

Recommended Citation

Hogg, B. P. (2018) Interleukin-6 and exercise; early evidence of a novel myokine.