Ageing, exercise and the chemistry of inflammation. Issue 2 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, SC
• Is Part Of: Reviews in clinical gerontology. Volume 25:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1017/S0959259815000088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-2598

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Exercise has a complex influence on the biochemical markers of inflammation that includes suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The magnitude of this effect is large for prolonged activity at high work rates. People who are able to perform regular mild–moderate exercise have lower baseline pro-inflammatory cytokine levels that appear to be associated with a number of health benefits, including reduced all-cause mortality. These effects extend into old age. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pleiotropic myokine released by active muscle cells, appears to play a central role in these observed phenomena, though the mechanisms of action are intricate and incompletely understood. The minimum threshold of the exercise–cytokine dose–response, if any, has not been clearly characterized. Therefore, the potential to influence cytokine activity and reduce age-associated inflammation in very aged or frail people able to perform only very low levels of physical activity is unknown.</p> </abstract>