Interleukin-6 Kinetics in Blood After Acute Exercise: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594862418091

• Palavras-chave: Interleukin-6, physical exercise, immune response, cytokine kinetics, energy supplementation, metabolic adaptation, inflammation.

• Keywords: Interleukin-6, physical exercise, immune response, cytokine kinetics, energy supplementation, metabolic adaptation, inflammation.

• Abstract:

  Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a central role in regulating immune and metabolic responses to exercise. This literature review examines the kinetics of IL-6 in the blood after acute exercise sessions, highlighting the main factors that influence its release, such as the type of exercise, intensity, duration and energy supplementation. The studies reviewed indicate that long-term aerobic exercise tends to cause more significant increases in IL-6 levels compared to resistance exercise. In addition, carbohydrate ingestion during exercise can attenuate IL-6 elevation, while fasted exercise amplifies this response. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed, especially in relation to the use of exercise as a therapeutic strategy to modulate the inflammatory state in individuals with chronic conditions. The review concludes that IL-6 is an essential mediator of adaptations to exercise and suggests directions for future research in the area.