Changes in Cytokines Concentration Following Long-Distance Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Micael Deivison de Jesus Alves; Devisson Dos Santos Silva; Erika Vitoria Moura Pereira; Danielle Dutra Pereira; Matheus Santos de Sousa Fernandes; Dayane Franciely Conceição Santos; Davi Pereira Monte Oliveira; Lucio Marques Vieira-Souza; Felipe J Aidar; Raphael Fabricio de Souza

doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.838069

Changes in Cytokines Concentration Following Long-Distance Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Front Physiol. 2022 Feb 17:13:838069. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.838069. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Micael Deivison de Jesus Alves^{1

2

3}, Devisson Dos Santos Silva^{1

2

3}, Erika Vitoria Moura Pereira^{1

3}, Danielle Dutra Pereira⁴, Matheus Santos de Sousa Fernandes⁵, Dayane Franciely Conceição Santos⁶, Davi Pereira Monte Oliveira¹, Lucio Marques Vieira-Souza^{2

7}, Felipe J Aidar^{1

2

3}, Raphael Fabricio de Souza^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, Brazil.
² Graduate Program in Physical Education, Postgraduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, Brazil.
³ Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports-GEPEPS, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristovão, Brazil.
⁴ Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Course, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil.
⁵ Graduate Program, Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil.
⁶ Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão, Brazil.
⁷ Physical Education Course, State University of Minas Gerais-UEMG, Passos, Brazil.

Abstract

Long-distance running is an exhausting effort for the whole organism. Prolonged aerobic exercise induces changes in inflammatory markers. However, predicting muscle damage in response has limitations in terms of selecting biomarkers used to measure inflammatory status. The present study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles focusing in ultra-marathon, marathon, and half-marathon and levels of cytokines. The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, resulting in the inclusion of 76 articles. IL-6 was highlighted, evaluated in 62 studies and show increase in the standard mean difference (SMD): half-marathon (SMD -1.36; IC 95%: -1.82, -0.89, Ch²:0.58; tau²:0.00; p < 0.0001), marathon (SMD -6.81; IC 95%: -9.26, -4.37; Ch²:481.37 tau²:11.88; p < 0.0001) and ultra-marathon (SMD -8.00 IC 95%: -10.47, -5.53; Ch²:328.40; tau²:14.19; p < 0.0001). In contrast meta-regression analysis did not show relationship to the running distance (p = 0.864). The meta-analysis evidenced increase in the concentration of IL-1ra (p < 0.0001), IL-1B (p < 0.0001), IL-8 (p < 0.0001), IL-10 (p < 0.0001) and TNF-α (p < 0.0001). Reduction in IL-2 (p < 0.0001) and INF-y (p < 0.03) and no change in the IL-4 (p < 0.56). The number of studies evaluating the effect of adipokines was limited, however Leptin and Resistin were recurrent. The effects of an acute bout of prolonged aerobic exercise will protect against chronic systemic inflammation. The time to return to baseline values showed a substantial and dose-dependent relationship with run volume. The concentration of IL-6 was robustly studied and the marathon running was the most explored. Network of endocrine interactions in which circulating factors, released in extreme exercises, interplay through inter-organ crosstalk and physiologic changes were expressed. The running volume variability was able to modulate compounds that play a fundamental role in the maintenance of homeostasis and cell signaling.

Keywords: adipokine; aerobic; cytokine; endurance; marathon; myokine.

Publication types

Systematic Review