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Equine veterinary journal. Supplement2011; (38); 280-288; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00275.x

Exercise-induced increases in inflammatory cytokines in muscle and blood of horses.

Abstract: Studies have demonstrated increases in mRNA expression for inflammatory cytokines following exercise in horses and have suggested those markers of inflammation may play a role in delayed onset muscle soreness. However, measurement of mRNA expression in white blood cells is an indirect method. No studies to date have documented the cytokine response to exercise directly in muscle in horses. Objective: This study tested the hypothesis that exercise increases cytokine markers of inflammation in blood and muscle. Methods: Blood and muscle biopsies were obtained from 4 healthy, unfit Standardbred mares (∼ 500 kg). The randomised crossover experiment was performed with the investigators performing the analysis blind to the treatment. Each horse underwent either incremental exercise test (GXT) or standing parallel control with the trials performed one month apart. During the GXT horses ran on a treadmill (1 m/s increases each min until fatigue, 6% grade). Blood and muscle biopsies were obtained 30 min before exercise, immediately after exercise and at 0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 24 h post GXT or at matched time points during the parallel control trials. Samples were analysed using real time-PCR for measurement of mRNA expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Data were analysed using t tests with the null hypothesis rejected when P < 0.10. Results: There were no changes (P > 0.10) in IL-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha during control. Exercise induced significant increases in IFN-gamma, IL1 and TNF-alpha in blood and significant increases in IFN-gamma, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in muscle. There were no significant changes in mRNA expression of IL-1 in muscle or IL-6 in blood following the GXT. These cytokine markers of inflammation all returned to preGXT levels by 24 h post GXT. Conclusions: High intensity exercise results in a transient increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in muscle and blood.
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Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059019DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00275.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the effect of exercise on the level of inflammatory cytokines in the blood and muscles of horses. The findings indicate that high intensity exercise results in a temporary increase of these inflammation markers in the bloodstream and muscle tissues.

Research Overview and Objective

This study set out to examine whether exercise leads to an increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the blood and muscles of horses. This possibility had been suggested by earlier research showing a surge in mRNA expression for these inflammation indicators following exercise. However, previous studies relied on indirect measurements from white blood cells, and none had directly documented the cytokine response in horses’ muscles following physical workouts.

Methodology

  • The research involved four healthy, unfit Standardbred mares, each weighing approximately 500 kg.
  • To establish the validity of their hypothesis, the researchers applied a randomized crossover experiment design and performed their analyses ‘blind’, i.e. without knowing the treatment given to each subject.
  • Each mare underwent either an incremental exercise test (GXT) or served as a standing parallel control. These trials were performed one month apart.
  • The exercise regimen involved running on a treadmill at gradually increasing speeds until fatigue, at a 6% incline.
  • Blood samples and muscle biopsies were taken 30 minutes before and immediately after the exercise, as well as 0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours after GXT—the same timepoints were used for controls not undergoing the GXT.
  • The samples were examined using real-time PCR to quantify the mRNA expression of four inflammatory cytokines: interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 (IL-1).
  • Statistical analysis was performed with t-tests, and the null hypothesis was rejected if the p-value was less than 0.10.

Results

  • No changes were observed in the levels of IL-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha during the control period.
  • Exercise, on the other hand, induced significant increases in IFN-gamma, IL-1, and TNF-alpha in the blood and IFN-gamma, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in muscles.
  • No significant changes were seen in the mRNA expression of IL-1 in the muscle or IL-6 in the blood after the exercise test.
  • All these inflammation markers returned to their initial levels 24 hours after the GXT.

Conclusions

High intensity exercise leads to a temporary increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in both the blood and muscle tissues of horses. This result expands on previous research by offering direct evidence of the cytokine response in muscle tissues, suggesting a potential correlation between these cytokines and delayed onset muscle soreness in horses after strenuous physical activity.

Cite This Article

APA
Liburt NR, Adams AA, Betancourt A, Horohov DW, McKeever KH. (2011). Exercise-induced increases in inflammatory cytokines in muscle and blood of horses. Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 280-288. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00275.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal. Supplement
NlmUniqueID: 9614088
Country: United States
Language: English
Issue: 38
Pages: 280-288

Researcher Affiliations

Liburt, N R
  • Department of Animal Sciences, Equine Science Center, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, USA.
Adams, A A
    Betancourt, A
      Horohov, D W
        McKeever, K H

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cross-Over Studies
          • Cytokines / genetics
          • Cytokines / metabolism
          • Female
          • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
          • Horse Diseases / blood
          • Horse Diseases / metabolism
          • Horses
          • Inflammation / blood
          • Inflammation / metabolism
          • Inflammation / veterinary
          • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
          • Muscular Diseases / blood
          • Muscular Diseases / metabolism
          • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
          • Pain / blood
          • Pain / metabolism
          • Pain / veterinary
          • Physical Conditioning, Animal / adverse effects
          • RNA, Messenger / genetics
          • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

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