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.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059019DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00275.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Sciences, Equine Science Center, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, USA.
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
Citations
This article has been cited 19 times.- Farré-Guasch E, Aliberas JT, Spada NF, de Vries R, Schulten EAJM, Lobbezoo F. The role of inflammatory markers in Temporomandibular Myalgia: A systematic review.. Jpn Dent Sci Rev 2023 Dec;59:281-288.
- Grzędzicka J, Dąbrowska I, Malin K, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. Exercise-related changes in the anabolic index (testosterone to cortisol ratio) and serum amyloid A concentration in endurance and racehorses at different fitness levels.. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1148990.
- Beghelli D, Zallocco L, Angeloni C, Bistoni O, Ronci M, Cavallucci C, Mazzoni MR, Nuccitelli A, Catalano C, Hrelia S, L쫌hini A, Giusti L. Dietary Supplementation with Boswellia serrata, Verbascum thapsus, and Curcuma longa in Show Jumping Horses: Effects on Serum Proteome, Antioxidant Status, and Anti-Inflammatory Gene Expression.. Life (Basel) 2023 Mar 10;13(3).
- Johnson SE, Barshick MR, Gonzalez ML, Riley JW, Pelletier ME, Castanho BC, Ealy EN. A Carnitine-Containing Product Improves Aspects of Post-Exercise Recovery in Adult Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
- Wilson J, De Donato M, Appelbaum B, Garcia CT, Peters S. Differential Expression of Innate and Adaptive Immune Genes during Acute Physical Exercise in American Quarter Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 16;13(2).
- Valigura HC, Leatherwood JL, Martinez RE, Norton SA, White-Springer SH. Dietary supplementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product attenuates exercise-induced stress markers in young horses.. J Anim Sci 2021 Aug 1;99(8).
- Szabó C, Vizesi Z, Vincze A. Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability of Amateur Show Jumping Horses Competing on Different Levels.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 4;11(3).
- Matheson A, Regmi SC, Jay GD, Schmidt TA, Scott WM. The Effect of Intense Exercise on Equine Serum Proteoglycan-4/Lubricin.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:599287.
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Pingwara R, Winnicka A. The Effect of Physical Training on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Ex Vivo Proliferation, Differentiation, Activity, and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Racehorses.. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020 Nov 20;9(11).
- Cappelli K, Amadori M, Mecocci S, Miglio A, Antognoni MT, Razzuoli E. Immune Response in Young Thoroughbred Racehorses under Training.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 5;10(10).
- Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O, Bąska P, Czopowicz M, Żmigrodzka M, Szczepaniak J, Szarska E, Winnicka A, Cywińska A. Changes in Serum Amyloid A (SAA) Concentration in Arabian Endurance Horses During First Training Season.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jun 8;9(6).
- Gjevestad GO, Hamarsland H, Raastad T, Ottestad I, Christensen JJ, Eckardt K, Drevon CA, Biong AS, Ulven SM, Holven KB. Gene expression is differentially regulated in skeletal muscle and circulating immune cells in response to an acute bout of high-load strength exercise.. Genes Nutr 2017;12:8.
- Kim HY, Han NR, Kim NR, Lee M, Kim J, Kim CJ, Jeong HJ, Kim HM. Effect of fermented porcine placenta on physical fatigue in mice.. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016 Nov;241(17):1985-1996.
- Turło A, Cywińska A, Czopowicz M, Witkowski L, Niedźwiedź A, Słowikowska M, Borowicz H, Jaśkiewicz A, Winnicka A. The Effect of Different Types of Musculoskeletal Injuries on Blood Concentration of Serum Amyloid A in Thoroughbred Racehorses.. PLoS One 2015;10(10):e0140673.
- Wagner AL, Urschel KL, Lefta M, Esser KA. Effect of gluteus medius muscle sample collection depth on postprandial mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in mature Thoroughbred mares.. Am J Vet Res 2013 Jun;74(6):910-7.
- Mashhadi NS, Ghiasvand R, Askari G, Feizi A, Hariri M, Darvishi L, Barani A, Taghiyar M, Shiranian A, Hajishafiee M. Influence of ginger and cinnamon intake on inflammation and muscle soreness endued by exercise in Iranian female athletes.. Int J Prev Med 2013 Apr;4(Suppl 1):S11-5.
- Lee DH, Kim JY, Lee MK, Lee C, Min JH, Jeong DH, Lee JW, Chu SH, Meyerhardt JA, Ligibel J, Jones LW, Kim NK, Jeon JY. Effects of a 12-week home-based exercise program on the level of physical activity, insulin, and cytokines in colorectal cancer survivors: a pilot study.. Support Care Cancer 2013 Sep;21(9):2537-45.
- Cywinska A, Witkowski L, Szarska E, Schollenberger A, Winnicka A. Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration after training sessions in Arabian race and endurance horses.. BMC Vet Res 2013 May 1;9:91.
- Fernandes KP, Alves AN, Nunes FD, Souza NH, Silva JA Jr, Bussadori SK, Ferrari RA. Effect of photobiomodulation on expression of IL-1β in skeletal muscle following acute injury.. Lasers Med Sci 2013 May;28(3):1043-6.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
