Table 1.
Inflammatory markers: health outcome associated with higher serum levels and expected change with chronic physical activity
| Inflammatory marker | Health outcomes associated with higher levels of inflammatory markera | Expected change with chronic physical activityb |
|---|---|---|
| IL-1 beta | Sleep regulation, cachexia, reduced muscle mass/physical functioning 11, 36, 68, 73–75 | Decrease |
| IL-6 | Sleep dysfunction, fatigue, cachexia, disease risk (cancer and other chronic disease), and reduced muscle mass/physical functioning 9–11, 13, 14, 16, 36, 47, 68, 74, 76 | Decrease36 |
| IL-8 | Sleep dysfunction, poorer breast cancer prognosis 68, 77, 78 | Decrease (in absence of injury) |
| IL-10 | Sleep regulationc36, 68, 73 | Increase |
| TNF-alpha | Sleep dysfunction, cachexia, reduced muscle mass 9, 14, 36, 73, 74 | Decrease |
| Leptin | Associated with body weight and adiposity, increased breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro69 | Decrease |
| Total adiponectin | Associated with body weight and adiposity, reduced breast cancer risk69, 79, 80 | Increase |
| HMW adiponectin | Associated with body weight and adiposity, reduced breast cancer risk69, 79 | Increase |
a
Certain cytokines may have both pro and anti-inflammatory effects (e.g., IL-6) but only outcomes associated with the primary action are listed.
b
Does not include muscle cytokine levels in response to acute exercise bouts which may differ from serum levels after exercise training.
c
Contrary to the other cytokines listed, IL-10 reduces non-rapid eye movements sleep possibly improving sleep quality 68.
Abbreviations: IL, interleukin; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; HMW, high molecular weight