The Expression Patterns of Some Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines Genes Pre and Post Acute Exercise

This study was designed to determine the expression patterns of some pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes in some young male undergraduates that passed through exhaustive exercise using the Bruce protocol for sub-maximal acute exercise as studies have shown that exhaustive exercise activates the release of multiple cytokine genes which modulate the immune responses of stressed individuals. Twenty five (25) healthy young male undergraduates with an average age of 24.3±3 years and body mass index of 22.7±1.8 (Kg/m 2) participated fully in the study. Blood samples were collected from the participants before commencement of the study, at 1 hour, 4 hours and 24 hours post exercise. Tumor necrosis factor α, interferon gamma and interleukin-10 genes expression patterns were detected using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction methods. Serum cortisol (nmol/L) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The study revealed that eleven (11) out of the twenty-five (25) participants had their tumor necrosis factor α genes up-regulated at 1 hour post exercise and sustained till 24 hours post exercise. Moreover, interferon gamma and interleukin-10 genes were up-regulated at 4 hours post exercise and sustained till 24 hours post exercise in most of the subjects. This study also observed that the cortisol level of the exercised subjects was significantly higher at 1 hour post acute exercise when compared with pre-exercise stage. Acute exercise was associated with an enhanced lymphocytic cell functions which are evidence in the up-regulation patterns of both lymphocytic pro-inflammatory cytokine and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes post exercise.