Prolonged health benefits by alteration in plasma Interleukin-6 and fasting blood sugar with graded exercise in individuals with varied BMI

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Original Article

Author Details : Ambarish Vijayaraghana, Kirthana Kunikullaya, Radhika Kunnavil

Volume : 3, Issue : 3, Year : 2016

Article Page : 273-278

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Abstract

Background: Exercise confers good health. Unaccustomed exercise is stressful and has harmful effects. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a marker of inflammation which increases with physical stress. We observed the changes in plasma Interleukin-6 and Fasting blood Sugar with different grades of exercise in healthy individuals of varied BMI.
Methods: Fifty four healthy volunteers (26 males and 28 females) in the age group 18 to 30 years not used to any form of exercise, were recruited. BMI of the subjects varied between 16.5 to 26.5 kg/m². Subject performed a bout of moderate exercise; a bout of strenuous exercise, followed by one month regular moderate exercise using Shuttle Walk Test. Plasma IL-6 was estimated before and after exercise by Elisa technique. Exercise protocol used was Standardized Shuttle Walk. FBS was assessed just before moderate exercise on first day and 24 hours after moderate and strenuous exercise and on last day of one month of regular moderate exercise.
Results: IL-6 level was significantly higher after a bout of moderate exercise compared to baseline (mean & SD: 32.6  1.9 pg/ml and 63.1  2.8 pg/ml respectively). It increased significantly after strenuous exercise (116.2  4.1pg/ml). IL-6 level dipped significantly after one month of regular moderate exercise (15.9  0.7pg/ml). FBS decreased 24 hours after a bout of moderate exercise (mean & SD: 92.9  mg/dl and 83.2  5.4 mg/dl respectively). It decreased further 24 hours after a bout of strenuous exercise (78.4  5.6 mg/dl). It was lowest after a month of regular moderate exercise (73.96 3.1 mg/dl). There was significant positive correlation between BMI and IL-6 for strenuous exercise for subjects above BMI of 23kg/m². There was significant positive correlation between FBS and BMI for subjects of BMI above 23kg/m².
Conclusions: Unaccustomed physical stress in form of a bout of moderate or strenuous exercise increases IL-6 level. Regular moderate exercise has a buffering effect by preventing the shoot up of IL-6 when challenged with acute physical stress. Exercise has a good “after effect” on FBS even up to 24 hours. Positive correlation between higher BMI and FBS indicates the importance of maintaining BMI within prescribed limits.

Key words: Interleukin-6, FBS, BMI, Exercise, Inflammation

How to cite : Vijayaraghana A, Kunikullaya K, Kunnavil R, Prolonged health benefits by alteration in plasma Interleukin-6 and fasting blood sugar with graded exercise in individuals with varied BMI. Indian J Clin Anat Physiol 2016;3(3):273-278

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