Full accepted Manuscript.pdf (539.3 kB)
Download fileSpinal cord injury level and the circulating cytokine response to strenuous exercise
journal contribution
posted on 2014-07-24, 10:30 authored by Tom Paulson, Vicky Goosey-TolfreyVicky Goosey-Tolfrey, John P. Lenton, Christof LeichtChristof Leicht, Nicolette BishopNicolette BishopPURPOSE: A complete spinal cord injury (SCI) above the 6th thoracic vertebra (T6) results in
the loss of sympathetic innervation of the adrenal medulla. This study examined the effect of
a complete SCI above and below T6 on plasma concentrations of epinephrine, circulating
interleukin (IL)-6 and other inflammatory cytokines in response to acute strenuous exercise.
METHODS: Twenty-six elite male wheelchair athletes (8=C6-C7 tetraplegic (TETRA); 10=T6-
L1 paraplegic (PARA); 8=non-spinal cord injured controls (NON-SCI)) performed a
submaximal exercise test followed by a graded exercise to exhaustion on a motorised
treadmill. Blood samples were taken pre-exercise, post-exercise and 30 min post-exercise
(post30) and analysed for concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1 receptor-antagonist (IL-1ra),
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), epinephrine and cortisol. RESULTS: Circulating IL-6
concentration was significantly elevated at post-exercise and post30 (~5-fold) in NON-SCI
and PARA (P=0.003) whereas concentrations in TETRA did not change significantly from
pre-exercise values. IL-10, IL-1ra and TNF-α were unaffected by exercise in all groups,
however both SCI groups presented elevated concentrations of IL-10 compared with NONSCI
(P=0.001). At post-exercise, epinephrine concentrations were significantly higher than
pre-exercise and post30 concentrations in NON-SCI (~3-fold) and PARA (~2-fold) (P=0.02).
Plasma epinephrine concentrations were unchanged in TETRA throughout exercise;
concentrations were significantly lower than NON-SCI and PARA at all-time points. Plasma
cortisol concentrations were significantly elevated in all groups at post-exercise and post30
compared with pre-exercise (P<0.001). Total exercise time was similar between groups
(NON-SCI= 38±6; PARA= 35±5; TETRA= 36±5 min). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest
the sympathetic nervous system plays an important regulatory role in the circulating IL-6
response to exercise and has implications for the metabolic and inflammatory responses to
exercise in individuals with injuries above T6.
Funding
A grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation was received for consumable costs during this research along with additional support provided by the corresponding institution.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences