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This Article Accepted manuscript (PDF) All Versions of this Article: EJE-08-0220v1 159/2/129    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Oberbach, A. Articles by Kovacs, P. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Oberbach, A. Articles by Kovacs, P.

Long term exercise training decreases IL-6 serum levels in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance: effect of the -174G/C variant in interleukin-6 gene

A Oberbach, Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
S Lehmann, Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
K Kirsch, Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
J Krist, Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
M Sonnabend, Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
A Linke, Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
A Toenjes, Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
M Stumvoll, Department of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
M Bluher, Medical Department III, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
P Kovacs, Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Correspondence: Peter Kovacs, Email: peter.kovacs{at}medizin.uni-leipzig.de

Abstract

Objective: Exercise training has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum concentrations in response to training could contribute to these beneficial effects. However, there are heterogeneous data on whether circulating IL-6 is altered by exercise training. We therefore hypothesize that genetic factors modify the individual changes in IL-6 levels after long term training.

Research design and methods: The -174G/C variant in the IL-6 gene was genotyped in sixty subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). For a 12 months interventional study, patients were randomized into three groups: A control group (n=16) was compared to one group, which underwent a standardized training program (n=24) and another group, which was treated with rosiglitazone 4mg once daily (n=20). At baseline, after 1, 6, and 12 months, we measured anthropometric parameters and serum concentration of IL-6, and at baseline and after 12 months we determined glucose tolerance and fitness level.

Results: Only in subjects carrying the SNP -174C allele, long term exercise training resulted in significantly reduced IL-6 serum concentrations. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified the IL-6 genotype as significant predictor of changes in IL-6 serum concentrations independently of age, gender, and improvement in BMI, HbA1c, and fitness level in response to training.

Conclusions: Genetic variants in the IL-6 significantly modify changes in IL-6 serum concentrations in response to long term exercise training programs. Our data suggest that genetic factors are important determinants for the individual response to anti-inflammatory effects of exercise training.